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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma because of AKAP9 and CTNNA2 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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 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 Sea Buckthorn” or “Include fruit Saskatoon Berry in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Spinach” or “Can I take Neem Extract and Andrographis 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 HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.
The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 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 HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.
About Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma are in ages between 16 to 76 with an average age of 56. 73.8% of males and 26.2% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 749; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma include genes TP53, AKAP9, CTNNA2, CUX1 and ADCY2. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 3.6%, 3.1%, 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.4%. These tumor genetic details of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Significance of Nutrition for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 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 Sea Buckthorn includes active ingredients Isorhamnetin, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid and others. And Saskatoon Berry contains active ingredients Quercetin, Delphinidin 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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Small Molecule Transport, 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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, 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 HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.
Foods for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment
In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma – the genes TP53, AKAP9, CTNNA2, CUX1 and ADCY2 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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma are Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and others. Docetaxel 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, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling 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 Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Genistein among others. While the active ingredients contained in Pigeon Pea are Linolenic Acid, Genistein, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid, Vitamin A and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Glucocorticoid Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Carbohydrate Metabolism, Apoptosis and Adherens junction.
Genistein can manipulate biochemical pathways Nutrient sensing. Vitamin A has biological action on biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling and Focal Adhesion. And so on.
When treating Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with chemotherapy Docetaxel – Foods like Common Pea are recommended compared to Pigeon Pea. This is because the active ingredients Genistein and Vitamin A 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 HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DOCETAXEL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more vegetables, Kohlrabi or Spinach?
Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Kohlrabi are Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Kaempferol, Brassinin, Indole-3-carbinol among others. While the active ingredients contained in Spinach are Quercetin, Apigenin, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Kaempferol and others.
Brassinin can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Carbohydrate Metabolism, Adherens junction and Growth Factor Signaling.
Apigenin can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, TGFB Signaling and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling. Vitamin A has biological action on biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling and Focal Adhesion. And so on.
When treating Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with chemotherapy Docetaxel – Foods like Kohlrabi are recommended compared to Spinach. This is because the active ingredients Apigenin and Vitamin A in Spinach interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Brassinin and Vitamin C contained in Kohlrabi support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: KOHLRABI IS RECOMMENDED OVER SPINACH FOR HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DOCETAXEL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more fruits, Saskatoon Berry or Sea Buckthorn?
Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Saskatoon Berry are Quercetin, Delphinidin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Sea Buckthorn are Isorhamnetin, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid and others.
Delphinidin can manipulate biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling and MYC Signaling. Quercetin has biological action on biochemical pathways Microtubule Dynamics, TGFB Signaling and Cell Survival.
Vitamin A can manipulate biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling and Focal Adhesion. Oleic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Extracellular Matrix Remodelling. And so on.
When treating Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with chemotherapy Docetaxel – Foods like Saskatoon Berry are recommended compared to Sea Buckthorn. This is because the active ingredients Vitamin A and Oleic Acid in Sea Buckthorn interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Delphinidin and Quercetin contained in Saskatoon Berry support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: SASKATOON BERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER SEA BUCKTHORN FOR HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DOCETAXEL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more nuts, Pine Nut or Pumpkin Seeds?
Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Pine Nut are Vitamin E, Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Vitamin A among others. While the active ingredients contained in Pumpkin Seeds are Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Cucurbitacin I, Gamma-linolenic Acid and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, NFKB Signaling and Glucocorticoid Signaling. Vitamin K has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle, MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling, Chemokine Signaling and JAK-STAT Signaling. Cucurbitacin I has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and NFKB Signaling. And so on.
When treating Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with chemotherapy Docetaxel – Foods like Pine Nut are recommended compared to Pumpkin Seeds. This is because the active ingredients Lecithin and Cucurbitacin I in Pumpkin Seeds 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 PUMPKIN SEEDS FOR HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DOCETAXEL FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Foods for Genetic Risk of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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. AKAP9 and CTNNA2 are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma gene AKAP9 has causative impact on biological pathways like MAPK Signaling, MAPK Signaling and Cell Cycle. And CTNNA2 has a causative impact on biological pathways like Adherens junction and Hippo Signaling. Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like AKAP9 and CTNNA2 should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes AKAP9 and CTNNA2 should be avoided.
Eat more pulses, Scarlet Bean or Fava Bean?
The active ingredients contained in Scarlet Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Genistein among others. While the active ingredients contained in Fava Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Daidzein, Vitamin C, Butein, Linolenic Acid and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, MYC Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints.
Ferulic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways DNA Repair. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma due to abnormalities in genes AKAP9 and CTNNA2 – Foods like Scarlet Bean are recommended compared to Fava Bean. This is because the active ingredients Ferulic Acid and Folic Acid in Fava Bean further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Vitamin C contained in Scarlet Bean together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: SCARLET BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER FAVA BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DUE TO GENES AKAP9 AND CTNNA2
Eat more vegetables, Giant Butterbur or Rhubarb?
The active ingredients contained in Giant Butterbur are Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Kaempferol, Vitamin B3, Vitamin A among others. While the active ingredients contained in Rhubarb are Rhein, Emodin, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Chrysophanol and others.
Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Beta-sitosterol has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, MYC Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints.
Rutin can manipulate biochemical pathways Extracellular Matrix Remodelling. Rhein has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair. And so on.
For genetic risk of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma due to abnormalities in genes AKAP9 and CTNNA2 – Foods like Giant Butterbur are recommended compared to Rhubarb. This is because the active ingredients Rutin and Rhein in Rhubarb further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Beta-sitosterol contained in Giant Butterbur together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER RHUBARB FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DUE TO GENES AKAP9 AND CTNNA2
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, Grape or Raspberry?
The active ingredients contained in Grape are Lupeol, Resveratrol, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin E, Vitamin C among others. While the active ingredients contained in Raspberry are Resveratrol, Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Ellagic Acid, Quercetin and others.
Resveratrol can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways Adherens junction, MYC Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints.
Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling. Gallic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair. And so on.
For genetic risk of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma due to abnormalities in genes AKAP9 and CTNNA2 – Foods like Grape are recommended compared to Raspberry. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Gallic Acid in Raspberry further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Resveratrol and Vitamin C contained in Grape together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: GRAPE IS RECOMMENDED OVER RASPBERRY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DUE TO GENES AKAP9 AND CTNNA2
Eat more nuts, Pecan Nut or Brazil Nut?
The active ingredients contained in Pecan Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Cianidanol, Vitamin A among others. While the active ingredients contained in Brazil Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lecithin, Folic Acid and others.
Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Cianidanol has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma due to abnormalities in genes AKAP9 and CTNNA2 – Foods like Pecan Nut are recommended compared to Brazil Nut. This is because the active ingredients Lecithin and Folic Acid in Brazil Nut further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients Vitamin E and Cianidanol contained in Pecan Nut together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: PECAN NUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DUE TO GENES AKAP9 AND CTNNA2
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 Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 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
- Tmb Mskcc 2018
- Pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes.
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- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma ) as a molecular target for the soy phytoestrogen genistein.
- Adhesion to the extracellular matrix is positively regulated by retinoic acid in HepG2 cells.
- Delphinidin attenuates pathological cardiac hypertrophy via the AMPK/NOX/MAPK signaling pathway.
- Protein kinase and HDAC inhibitors from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum.
- Oleic acid-induced ANGPTL4 enhances head and neck squamous cell carcinoma anoikis resistance and metastasis via up-regulation of fibronectin.
- Brassinin Represses Invasive Potential of Lung Carcinoma Cells through Deactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Cascade.
- Flavones: an important scaffold for medicinal chemistry.
- Research progress on the anticancer effects of vitamin K2.
- The recruitment of Raf-1 to membranes is mediated by direct interaction with phosphatidic acid and is independent of association with Ras.
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- Legionella pneumophila serogroup 12 pneumonia in a renal transplant recipient: case report and environmental observations.
- Effects of folate deficiency on gene expression in the apoptosis and cancer pathways in colon cancer cells.
- Forkhead proteins are critical for bone morphogenetic protein-2 regulation and anti-tumor activity of resveratrol.
- Identification of ellagic acid as potent inhibitor of protein kinase CK2: a successful example of a virtual screening application.
- Gallic acid provokes DNA damage and suppresses DNA repair gene expression in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.
- Flavonoids suppress human glioblastoma cell growth by inhibiting cell metabolism, migration, and by regulating extracellular matrix proteins and metalloproteinases expression.
- Gamma- and delta-tocotrienols exert a more potent anticancer effect than alpha-tocopheryl succinate on breast cancer cell lines irrespective of HER-2/neu expression.
- Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells by (+)-cyanidan-3-ol.
- 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.