Which Foods are Recommended for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?

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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia because of SF3B1 and CHD2 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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 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 Bilberry” or “Include fruit Orange in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Bell Pepper” or “Can I take Bergamot and D-limonene 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 CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.

The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 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 CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are in ages between 40 to 84 with an average age of 63. 64.0% of males and 36.0% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 1447; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia include genes SF3B1, TP53, CHD2, XPO1 and RPS15. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 11.4%, 3.9%, 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.2%. These tumor genetic details of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, that has a slow rate of progression when compared to the acute forms of leukemia. Lymphocytic leukemia affects the lymphocytes or white blood cells, that help the body fight infection. Primary disease sites include peripheral blood, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow. CLL mostly affects older adults with an average age of 70 years. Incidence of CLL is higher in western population, with higher incidence in Caucasian compared to Asian and African American population. Initially patients with CLL do not have any symptoms, but the symptoms develop as the cancer progresses. Signs and symptoms of CLL include enlarged but painless lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, enlarged spleen that may cause pain in the abdomen, night sweats, weight loss and frequent infections. In CLL, the abnormal non-functional lymphocytes start accumulating in the blood and certain organs over time and cause complications. These abnormal lymphocytes crowd out the healthy cells in the bone marrow and interfere with production of blood cells. Patients with CLL are not treated with chemotherapy until they become symptomatic. Targeted agents that inhibit specific driver pathways are the preferred first line therapy for CLL and therapy selection for CLL takes into account the molecular and genetic characteristics of the disease and may include a combination of targeted agents and chemotherapy. CLL being a slowly progressing disease has a relatively good prognosis with most patients living 5-10 years. Supportive care with the right foods and natural supplements can help improve the quality of life of the patients. (Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470433/; https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/199313-overview#a1; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352428 )

Significance of Nutrition for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. 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 Bilberry includes active ingredients Resveratrol, Myricetin, Quercetin, P-coumaric Acid, Gallic Acid and others. And Orange contains active ingredients D-limonene, Linalool, Linolenic Acid, Hesperidin, Rhamnetin 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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like DNA Repair, Apoptosis, mRNA Splicing, MAPK 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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, 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 CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.

Foods for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia undergoing chemotherapy treatment

In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia – the genes SF3B1, TP53, CHD2, XPO1 and RPS15 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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are DNA Repair, Apoptosis, T-Cell Receptor Signaling and others. Fludarabine is one of the chemotherapies used for cancer treatment. The intent of treatment is to negate or cancel out effects of biochemical pathway drivers DNA Repair, Apoptosis, T-Cell Receptor 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, Scarlet Bean or Moth Bean?

Pulses are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Scarlet Bean are Linolenic Acid, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid, Stigmasterol among others. While the active ingredients contained in Moth Bean are Linolenic Acid, Beta-sitosterol, Oleic Acid, Stigmasterol, Linoleic Acid and others.

Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Survival and MYC Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Vitamin D Signaling.

Linolenic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways Vitamin D Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Nucleotide metabolism and MYC Signaling. And so on.

When treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with chemotherapy Fludarabine – Foods like Scarlet Bean are recommended compared to Moth Bean. This is because the active ingredients Linolenic Acid and Folic Acid in Moth Bean 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 Scarlet Bean support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: SCARLET BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER MOTH BEAN FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUDARABINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more vegetables, Milk Thistle or Bell Pepper?

Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Milk Thistle are Vitamin E, Silibinin, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Bell Pepper are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid, P-coumaric Acid and others.

Silibinin can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Survival and Notch Signaling. Vitamin E has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, P53 Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints.

Capsaicin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, DNA Repair and MAPK Signaling. P-coumaric Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Nucleotide metabolism. And so on.

When treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with chemotherapy Fludarabine – Foods like Milk Thistle are recommended compared to Bell Pepper. This is because the active ingredients Capsaicin and P-coumaric Acid in Bell Pepper interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Silibinin and Vitamin E contained in Milk Thistle support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: MILK THISTLE IS RECOMMENDED OVER BELL PEPPER FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUDARABINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more fruits, Orange or Bilberry?

Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Orange are D-limonene, Linalool, Linolenic Acid, Hesperidin, Rhamnetin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Bilberry are Resveratrol, Myricetin, Quercetin, P-coumaric Acid, Gallic Acid and others.

D-limonene can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Survival and T-Cell Receptor Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, P53 Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints.

Arbutin can manipulate biochemical pathways mRNA Splicing. Resveratrol has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling. And so on.

When treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with chemotherapy Fludarabine – Foods like Orange are recommended compared to Bilberry. This is because the active ingredients Arbutin and Resveratrol in Bilberry interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients D-limonene and Vitamin C contained in Orange support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: ORANGE IS RECOMMENDED OVER BILBERRY FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUDARABINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Eat more nuts, Pine Nut or Macadamia Nut?

Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Pine Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Beta-sitosterol, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Macadamia Nut are Beta-sitosterol, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Folic Acid and others.

Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Survival and MYC Signaling. Vitamin K has biological action on biochemical pathways Vitamin D Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.

Palmitic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, MAPK Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Lauric Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, MAPK Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.

When treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with chemotherapy Fludarabine – Foods like Pine Nut are recommended compared to Macadamia Nut. This is because the active ingredients Palmitic Acid and Lauric Acid in Macadamia Nut interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin K contained in Pine Nut support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.

RECOMMENDATION: PINE NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER MACADAMIA NUT FOR CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FLUDARABINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Foods for Genetic Risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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. SF3B1 and CHD2 are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. 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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia gene SF3B1 has causative impact on biological pathways like mRNA Splicing. And CHD2 has a causative impact on biological pathways like Chromatin Remodeling. Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like SF3B1 and CHD2 should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes SF3B1 and CHD2 should be avoided.

Eat more pulses, Common Pea or Soy Bean?

The active ingredients contained in Common Pea are Lupeol, Vitamin C, Beta-sitosterol, Daidzein, Linolenic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Soy Bean are Lupeol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol and others.

Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Beta-sitosterol has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and Apoptosis.

Aescin can manipulate biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Lecithin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to abnormalities in genes SF3B1 and CHD2 – Foods like Common Pea are recommended compared to Soy Bean. This is because the active ingredients Aescin and Lecithin in Soy Bean further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Beta-sitosterol contained in Common Pea together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: COMMON PEA IS RECOMMENDED OVER SOY BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA DUE TO GENES SF3B1 AND CHD2

Eat more vegetables, Cassava or Celery?

The active ingredients contained in Cassava are Vitamin C, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Celery are Apigenin, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Cynaroside, Quercetin and others.

Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Beta-sitosterol has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and Apoptosis.

Cynaroside can manipulate biochemical pathways Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics. Luteolin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to abnormalities in genes SF3B1 and CHD2 – Foods like Cassava are recommended compared to Celery. This is because the active ingredients Cynaroside and Luteolin in Celery further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Beta-sitosterol contained in Cassava together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: CASSAVA IS RECOMMENDED OVER CELERY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA DUE TO GENES SF3B1 AND CHD2

Eat more fruits, Feijoa or Cranberry?

The active ingredients contained in Feijoa are Lycopene, Vitamin C, Casuarinin, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Cranberry are Vitamin C, Hyperoside, P-coumaric Acid, Quercitrin, Quercetin and others.

Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Lycopene has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling.

Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Resveratrol has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling. And so on.

For genetic risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to abnormalities in genes SF3B1 and CHD2 – Foods like Feijoa are recommended compared to Cranberry. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Resveratrol in Cranberry further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Lycopene contained in Feijoa together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.

RECOMMENDATION: FEIJOA IS RECOMMENDED OVER CRANBERRY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA DUE TO GENES SF3B1 AND CHD2

Eat more nuts, Pistachio or Peanut?

The active ingredients contained in Pistachio are Vitamin E, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Peanut are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-sitosterol, Rhamnetin, Linolenic Acid and others.

Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Vitamin E has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling.

Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Apoptosis. And so on.

For genetic risk of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to abnormalities in genes SF3B1 and CHD2 – Foods like Pistachio are recommended compared to Peanut. This is because the active ingredients Lecithin and Folic Acid in Peanut 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 PEANUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA DUE TO GENES SF3B1 AND CHD2

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 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 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.

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