Highlights
No two cancers are the same, nor are they treated the same, and neither should nutrition be the same for everyone. Nutrition includes foods like pulses, vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils, herbs and spices. Also nutrition includes supplements which are high concentrations of foods or high concentrations of individual ingredients found in foods. For cancers like Follicular Lymphoma when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Follicular Lymphoma because of BCL2 and TNFRSF14 gene mutations, a very important question is “What foods should I avoid and what foods are recommended specifically for me?”. The other related question is “What nutritional supplements should I avoid?”.
There is no one answer to this question for cancers such as Follicular Lymphoma which can be found through internet searches. The answer to the question is “It Depends” because the nutrition plan needs to be personalized for you. Nutrition should depend on the cancer indication, genetic information, adult or pediatric, staging, primary or secondary, advanced, metastatic, relapsed or refractory, ongoing treatments if any, nutritional supplements being taken, age and factors like gender, weight, height, lifestyle, allergies and food preferences.
In short – the process to answer questions like “Should I Avoid eating fruit Rambutan” or “Include fruit Persimmon in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Kale” or “Can I take Ferulic Acid and Harmala supplements” is not as simple as internet searches. The process is very complex and answers are based on knowhow of genetics, action of treatments, active ingredients in foods and their associated biological action. Finally the answer to the nutrition question needs to be personalized for you.
RECOMMENDATION: PERSONALIZE YOUR FOODS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.
The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Follicular Lymphoma is to minimize foods and nutritional supplements which have adverse interactions with cancer molecular drivers and ongoing treatments. And identify those foods and supplements which have a beneficial action. Whenever there are changes in treatments or diagnosis – it is important to remember that your foods and supplements need re-evaluation. And the answers to the nutrition question could be different based on the new context.
RECOMMENDATION: UPDATE YOUR NUTRITION FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.
About Follicular Lymphoma
cBioPortal is one source of collection of cancer patient data from clinical trials across 350 plus cancer indications. The data from each clinical trial includes the clinical trial name and study details like number of patients, ages, gender, ethnicity, treatments, tumor site, genetic aberrations found and analysis of all the data. The cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics was originally developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The public cBioPortal site is hosted by the Center for Molecular Oncology at MSK – https://www.cbioportal.org/about.
Following key highlights are derived from clinical data for Follicular Lymphoma from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Follicular Lymphoma are in ages between 40 to 79 with an average age of 63. 50.0% of males and 50.0% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 261; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Follicular Lymphoma include genes KMT2D, BCL2, TNFRSF14, ARID1A and EP300. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 57.2%, 43.2%, 18.3%, 11.3% and 8.9%. These tumor genetic details of Follicular Lymphoma are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Follicular Lymphoma.
Follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing or indolent form of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, that occurs in the lymph nodes, bone marrow and other organs. It is a chronic disease with no cure but with a good prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for follicular lymphoma is 90%. Follicular lymphoma is more likely to occur in older individuals over 65 years of age and more likely to occur in males than females. People with follicular lymphoma may have no symptoms to mild or moderate symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, fever, and drenching night sweats. Follicular lymphoma can become a serious illness if it recurs or relapses after treatment or is transformed to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. A wait and watch active surveillance strategy is used for initial stages of follicular lymphoma. Treatment modalities for follicular lymphoma include radiation therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, chemotherapy, targeted or immunotherapy and a bone marrow / stem cell transplantation. Right nutrition (foods and natural supplements) and exercise habits can help patients diagnosed with follicular lymphoma to improve their well-being. (Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538206/ ; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22606-follicular-lymphoma ; https://lymphoma.org/understanding-lymphoma/aboutlymphoma/nhl/follicular-lymphoma/)
Significance of Nutrition for Follicular Lymphoma
All foods and nutritional supplements consist of a collection of one or more active chemical ingredients in different proportions and quantities. The action of some active ingredients in a food can have adverse interactions while other active ingredients in the same food may be supportive from the context of Follicular Lymphoma. Hence the same food has good and not-so-good actions and analysis of combined effect will be needed to come up with a personalized nutrition plan.
For example Rambutan includes active ingredients Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Folic Acid and others. And Persimmon contains active ingredients Quercetin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Fisetin, Betulinic Acid and others. It is likely that some of these active ingredients of the same food could have opposing effects and hence it is recommended to identify recommended foods based on analysis of all high quantity ingredients contained in foods.
For cancers like Follicular Lymphoma, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Oncogenic Histone Methylation, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling plays an important role in driving cancer growth. Similarly different treatments work via different molecular actions which should never be canceled out by your foods and supplements. The foods and nutritional supplements contain different active ingredients each of which have a specific molecular action on different biochemical pathways. Hence, eating some foods and nutritional supplements would be recommended with a specific treatment of Follicular Lymphoma, while eating some other foods and supplements may not be recommended.
One common mistake when finding foods to eat or not – is to consider only a few active ingredients contained in foods based on internet searches and ignore the rest. Because different active ingredients contained in foods may have opposing effects on relevant biochemical pathways – it is recommended to consider all the high quantity active ingredients that are present in significant and much larger than trace amounts in the food.
RECOMMENDATION: TO FIND RECOMMENDED AND NON-RECOMMENDED FOODS FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.
Foods for Follicular Lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment
In Follicular Lymphoma – the genes KMT2D, BCL2, TNFRSF14, ARID1A and EP300 have high occurrences of genomic abnormalities. Not all of these genes necessarily are relevant for cancer – though they have been reported. Some of these genes directly or indirectly end up manipulating different cancer related biochemical biological pathways. Some of the pathways which are relevant drivers for Follicular Lymphoma are Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Cytokine Signaling and others. Prednisone is one of the chemotherapies used for cancer treatment. The intent of treatment is to negate or cancel out effects of biochemical pathway drivers Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Cytokine Signaling so as to reduce disease progression and inhibit growth. Those foods whose combined action of active ingredients support treatment action and do not enhance disease drivers are recommended foods and supplements which will be included in personalized nutrition. And similarly – those foods whose combined action of active ingredients is not supportive of treatment action but end up promoting disease drives will not be recommended in your personalized nutrition plan.
RECOMMENDATION: AVOID SUPPLEMENTS AND FOODS WHICH ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF CANCER TREATMENT ACTION AND RATHER ENHANCE DISEASE DRIVERS.
Eat more pulses, Common Pea or Pigeon Pea?
Pulses are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Common Pea are Daidzein, Lupeol, Beta-sitosterol, Genistein, Linolenic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Pigeon Pea are Genistein, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Linoleic Acid and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle, MYC Signaling and MAPK Signaling.
Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. Linolenic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. And so on.
When treating Follicular Lymphoma with chemotherapy Prednisone – Foods like Common Pea are recommended compared to Pigeon Pea. This is because the active ingredients Vitamin A and Linolenic Acid in Pigeon Pea interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin C contained in Common Pea support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: COMMON PEA IS RECOMMENDED OVER PIGEON PEA FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY PREDNISONE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more vegetables, Bamboo or Kale?
Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Bamboo are Beta-sitosterol, Ferulic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Protocatechuic Acid, P-coumaric Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Kale are Brassinin, Indole-3-carbinol, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Sulforaphane and others.
Ferulic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Beta-sitosterol has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle, MYC Signaling and Heat Stress Response.
Brassinin can manipulate biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. Indole-3-carbinol has biological action on biochemical pathways Heat Stress Response and TWEAK Signaling. And so on.
When treating Follicular Lymphoma with chemotherapy Prednisone – Foods like Bamboo are recommended compared to Kale. This is because the active ingredients Brassinin and Indole-3-carbinol in Kale interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Ferulic Acid and Beta-sitosterol contained in Bamboo support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: BAMBOO IS RECOMMENDED OVER KALE FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY PREDNISONE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more fruits, Persimmon or Rambutan?
Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Persimmon are Quercetin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Fisetin, Betulinic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Rambutan are Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Folic Acid and others.
Lycopene can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle, MYC Signaling and MAPK Signaling.
Linolenic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. Linoleic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Heat Stress Response and TGFB Signaling. And so on.
When treating Follicular Lymphoma with chemotherapy Prednisone – Foods like Persimmon are recommended compared to Rambutan. This is because the active ingredients Linolenic Acid and Linoleic Acid in Rambutan interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Lycopene and Vitamin C contained in Persimmon support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: PERSIMMON IS RECOMMENDED OVER RAMBUTAN FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY PREDNISONE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more nuts, Pecan Nut or Acorn?
Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Pecan Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin A, Linoleic Acid, Cianidanol among others. While the active ingredients contained in Acorn are Quercetin, Beta-sitosterol, Gallic Acid, Vitamin C, Beta-carotene and others.
Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Cianidanol has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Heat Stress Response and MAPK Signaling.
Quercetin can manipulate biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. Gallic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways TWEAK Signaling. And so on.
When treating Follicular Lymphoma with chemotherapy Prednisone – Foods like Pecan Nut are recommended compared to Acorn. This is because the active ingredients Quercetin and Gallic Acid in Acorn interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Vitamin E and Cianidanol contained in Pecan Nut support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: PECAN NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER ACORN FOR FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY PREDNISONE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Foods for Genetic Risk of Follicular Lymphoma
One of the ways to assess risk of cancer is by checking for presence of genetic abnormalities in a set of genes. There is prior information on a list of genes whose mutations and other aberrations can play a role in risk to different cancers. BCL2 and TNFRSF14 are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Follicular Lymphoma. In such a cancer risk situation – while there are typically no treatments which a physician can prescribe – the various biochemical pathways which are potentially molecular drivers of Follicular Lymphoma can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Follicular Lymphoma gene BCL2 has causative impact on biological pathways like Autophagy and Hypoxia. And TNFRSF14 has a causative impact on biological pathways like . Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like BCL2 and TNFRSF14 should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes BCL2 and TNFRSF14 should be avoided.
Eat more pulses, Mung Bean or Fava Bean?
The active ingredients contained in Mung Bean are Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Glucaric Acid, Vitexin, Stigmasterol among others. While the active ingredients contained in Fava Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Butein, Oleic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Daidzein and others.
Glucaric Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Calcium Signaling, Apoptosis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Vitexin has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Survival, Calcium Signaling and Apoptosis.
Quercetin can manipulate biochemical pathways DNA Repair and C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. Genistein has biological action on biochemical pathways C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Follicular Lymphoma due to abnormalities in genes BCL2 and TNFRSF14 – Foods like Mung Bean are recommended compared to Fava Bean. This is because the active ingredients Quercetin and Genistein in Fava Bean further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Glucaric Acid and Vitexin contained in Mung Bean together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: MUNG BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER FAVA BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA DUE TO GENES BCL2 AND TNFRSF14
Eat more vegetables, Milk Thistle or Arrowroot?
The active ingredients contained in Milk Thistle are Silibinin, Vitamin E, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Arrowroot are Protocatechuic Acid, Beta-carotene, Chlorogenic Acid, Quercetin, Vanillic Acid and others.
Silibinin can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Cell Survival. Vitamin E has biological action on biochemical pathways Calcium Signaling, Apoptosis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Beta-carotene can manipulate biochemical pathways C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. Quercetin has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair and C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Follicular Lymphoma due to abnormalities in genes BCL2 and TNFRSF14 – Foods like Milk Thistle are recommended compared to Arrowroot. This is because the active ingredients Beta-carotene and Quercetin in Arrowroot further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Silibinin and Vitamin E contained in Milk Thistle together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: MILK THISTLE IS RECOMMENDED OVER ARROWROOT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA DUE TO GENES BCL2 AND TNFRSF14
Foods to Eat After Cancer Diagnosis!
No two cancers are the same. Go beyond the common nutrition guidelines for everyone and make personalized decisions about food and supplements with confidence.
Eat more fruits, Pear or Lemon?
The active ingredients contained in Pear are Beta-sitosterol, Oleic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Glucaric Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Lemon are Hesperidin, Auraptene, Oleic Acid, Diosmetin, Eriodictyol and others.
Caffeic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Inositol Phosphate Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and EPHRIN Signaling. Glucaric Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Calcium Signaling, Apoptosis and Cell Survival.
Myrcene can manipulate biochemical pathways Calcium Signaling. Auraptene has biological action on biochemical pathways C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Follicular Lymphoma due to abnormalities in genes BCL2 and TNFRSF14 – Foods like Pear are recommended compared to Lemon. This is because the active ingredients Myrcene and Auraptene in Lemon further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Caffeic Acid and Glucaric Acid contained in Pear together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: PEAR IS RECOMMENDED OVER LEMON FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA DUE TO GENES BCL2 AND TNFRSF14
Eat more nuts, Pistachio or Brazil Nut?
The active ingredients contained in Pistachio are Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin E, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Stigmasterol among others. While the active ingredients contained in Brazil Nut are Vitamin E, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Folic Acid, Lecithin and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Inositol Phosphate Signaling, Apoptosis and Cell Survival. Vitamin E has biological action on biochemical pathways Calcium Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Apoptosis.
Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Linolenic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways C-type Lectin Receptor Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Follicular Lymphoma due to abnormalities in genes BCL2 and TNFRSF14 – Foods like Pistachio are recommended compared to Brazil Nut. This is because the active ingredients Lecithin and Linolenic Acid in Brazil Nut further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin E contained in Pistachio together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: PISTACHIO IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA DUE TO GENES BCL2 AND TNFRSF14
In Summary
An important thing to remember is that cancer treatments may not be the same for everyone – and neither should your nutrition be. Nutrition which includes food and nutritional supplements is a very effective tool controlled by you.
“What should I eat?” is the most frequently asked question in the context of cancer. The answer calculation is complex and depends upon cancer type, underlying genomics, current treatments, any allergies, lifestyle information, and factors like BMI.
The addon personalized nutrition plan recommends foods and supplements which minimizes adverse nutrition interactions and encourages support to treatments.
You can get started NOW and design a personalized nutrition plan for Follicular Lymphoma by answering questions on type of cancer, current treatments, supplements, allergies, age group, gender, and lifestyle information.
What food you eat and which supplements you take is a decision you make. Your decision should include consideration of the cancer gene mutations, which cancer, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, lifestyle information, weight, height and habits.
The nutrition planning for cancer from addon is not based on internet searches. It automates the decision making for you based on molecular science implemented by our scientists and software engineers. Irrespective of whether you care to understand the underlying biochemical molecular pathways or not - for nutrition planning for cancer that understanding is needed.
Get started NOW with your nutrition planning by answering questions on the name of cancer, genetic mutations, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, habits, lifestyle, age group and gender.
References
- Pancan Pcawg 2020
- Frequent mutation of histone-modifying genes in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Reactive oxygen species-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase plays a critical role in beta-sitosterol-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma U266 cells.
- Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki syndrome): a case report.
- α-Linolenic Acid Inhibits Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand Induced (RANKL-Induced) Osteoclastogenesis and Prevents Inflammatory Bone Loss via Downregulation of Nuclear Factor-KappaB-Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthases (NF-κB-iNOS) Signaling Pathways.
- Effects of lycopene on protein expression in human primary prostatic epithelial cells.
- Role of phospholipase D in migration and invasion induced by linoleic acid in breast cancer cells.
- Ferulic acid exerts antitumor activity and inhibits metastasis in breast cancer cells by regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
- Inhibitory effect of brassinin on TNF‑α‑induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
- Molecular targets and anticancer potential of indole-3-carbinol and its derivatives.
- Gamma-tocotrienol inhibits nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway through inhibition of receptor-interacting protein and TAK1 leading to suppression of antiapoptotic gene products and potentiation of apoptosis.
- Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells by (+)-cyanidan-3-ol.
- Protein kinase and HDAC inhibitors from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum.
- Induction of apoptosis by calcium D-glucarate in 7,12-dimethyl benz [a] anthracene-exposed mouse skin.
- Vitexin 6, a novel lignan, induces autophagy and apoptosis by activating the Jun N-terminal kinase pathway.
- Pharmacophore modeling study based on known spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors together with virtual screening for identifying novel inhibitors.
- Caffeic acid, a phenolic phytochemical in coffee, directly inhibits Fyn kinase activity and UVB-induced COX-2 expression.
- The impact of patients’ severity of illness and age on nursing workload.
- Suppression of Human Platelet Activation via Integrin αIIbβ3 Outside-In Independent Signal and Reduction of the Mortality in Pulmonary Thrombosis by Auraptene.
- Silybin-mediated inhibition of Notch signaling exerts antitumor activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
- β-Carotene suppresses osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway.
- New concepts in phospholipase D signaling in inflammation and cancer.
- HyperFoods: Machine intelligent mapping of cancer-beating molecules in foods.
Personalized Nutrition for Cancer!
Cancer changes with time. Customize and modify your nutrition based on cancer indication, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.