Foods for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer!

Introduction

Foods for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer should be personalized for each individual and also must adapt when cancer treatment or tumor genetic change. The personalization and adaptation must consider all the active ingredients or bioactives contained in different foods with respect to cancer tissue biology, genetics, treatments, lifestyle conditions and diet preferences. Hence while nutrition is one of the very important decisions for a cancer patient and individual at risk of cancer to make – how to choose foods to eat is not an easy task.

For Non-small Cell Lung Cancer does it matter what vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds one eats?

A very common nutrition question asked by cancer patients and individuals at-genetic risk of cancer is – for cancers like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer does it matter what foods I eat and which I do not? Or if I follow a plant-based diet is that enough for cancer like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

For example does it matter if vegetable Cauliflower is consumed more compared to Rocket Salad (ssp.)? Does it make any difference if fruit Malus (crab Apple) is preferred over Black Mulberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Butternut over European Chestnut and for pulses like Gram Bean over Mung Bean. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer!

Food recommendations may not be the same for everyone and can be different even for the same diagnosis and genetic risk.

All foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses, oils etc.) and nutritional supplements are made up of more than one active molecular ingredient or bio-actives in different proportions and quantities. Each active ingredient has a unique mechanism of action – which can be activation or inhibition of different biochemical pathways. Simply stated foods and supplements which are recommended are those which do not cause an increase of molecular drivers of cancer but reduce them. Else those foods should not be recommended. Foods contain multiple active ingredients – hence when evaluating foods and supplements you need to consider the impact of all active ingredients cumulatively rather than individually.

For example Malus (crab Apple) contains active ingredients Curcumin, Delphinidin, Lycopene, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin. And Black Mulberry contains active ingredients Quercetin, Curcumin, Delphinidin, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer – is to evaluate only selected active ingredients contained in foods and ignore the rest. Because different active ingredients contained in foods may have opposing effects on cancer drivers – you cannot cherry pick active ingredients in foods and supplements for making a nutrition decision for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

YES – FOOD CHOICES MATTER FOR CANCER. NUTRITION DECISIONS MUST CONSIDER ALL ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF FOODS.

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer consists of recommended foods / supplements; not recommended foods / supplements with example recipes which prioritize use of recommended foods. An example of personalized nutrition can be seen at this link.

Deciding which foods are recommended or not is extremely complicated, requiring expertise in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer biology, food science, genetics, biochemistry along with good understanding of how cancer treatments work and associated vulnerabilities by which the treatments could stop being effective.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE NEEDED FOR NUTRITION PERSONALIZATION FOR CANCER ARE: CANCER BIOLOGY, FOOD SCIENCE, CANCER TREATMENTS AND GENETICS.

Characteristics of cancers like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

All cancers like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Biochemical pathways like RAS-RAF Signaling, Apoptosis, Small Molecule Transport, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling are part of the signature definition of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer need to be cognizant of the associated signature biochemical pathways for each cancer patient and individual at genetic risk. Therefore different treatments with different mechanisms of actions are effective for different patients. Similarly and for the same reasons foods and supplements need to be personalized for each individual. Hence some foods and supplements are recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when taking cancer treatment Erlotinib, and some foods and supplements are not recommended.

Sources like cBioPortal and many others provide population representative patient anonymized data from clinical trials for all cancer indications. This data consists of clinical trial study details like sample size / number of patients, age groups, gender, ethnicity, treatments, tumor site and any genetic mutations.

LRP2, CACNA1E, SI, TIAM1 and COL6A3 are the top ranked reported genes for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. LRP2 is reported in 10.1 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And CACNA1E is reported in 9.4 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 37 to 88. 49.4 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Non-small Cell Lung Cancer biology along with reported genetics together define the population represented signature biochemical pathways for this cancer. If the individual cancer tumor genetics or genes contributing to the risk are also known then that should also be used for nutrition personalization.

NUTRITION CHOICES SHOULD MATCH WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL’S CANCER SIGNATURE.

Food and Supplements for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

For Cancer Patients

Cancer patients on treatment or on palliative care need to make decisions on food and supplements – for the needed dietary calories, for managing any treatment side effects and also for improved cancer management. All plant-based foods are not equal and choosing and prioritizing foods which are personalized and customized to ongoing cancer treatment is important and complicated. Here are some examples providing guidelines for making nutrition decisions.

Choose Vegetable CAULIFLOWER or ROCKET SALAD (SSP.)?

Vegetable Cauliflower contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Delphinidin, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin, Phloretin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, P53 Signaling, WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and MYC Signaling and others. Cauliflower is recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib. This is because Cauliflower modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Erlotinib.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Rocket Salad (ssp.) are Quercetin, Curcumin, Delphinidin, Lycopene, Isoliquiritigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like TGFB Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Rocket Salad (ssp.) is not recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE CAULIFLOWER IS RECOMMENDED OVER ROCKET SALAD (SSP.) FOR Non-small Cell Lung Cancer AND TREATMENT Erlotinib.

Choose Fruit BLACK MULBERRY or MALUS (CRAB APPLE)?

Fruit Black Mulberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Curcumin, Delphinidin, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling, Apoptosis and MAPK Signaling and others. Black Mulberry is recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib. This is because Black Mulberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Erlotinib.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Malus (crab Apple) are Curcumin, Delphinidin, Lycopene, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like TGFB Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Malus (crab Apple) is not recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT BLACK MULBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER MALUS (CRAB APPLE) FOR Non-small Cell Lung Cancer AND TREATMENT Erlotinib.

Choose Nut BUTTERNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?

Butternut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Delphinidin, Lycopene, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like TGFB Signaling, P53 Signaling, MAPK Signaling and MYC Signaling and others. Butternut is recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib. This is because Butternut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Erlotinib.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Delphinidin, Isoliquiritigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like TGFB Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and others. European Chestnut is not recommended for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when ongoing cancer treatment is Erlotinib because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

BUTTERNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR Non-small Cell Lung Cancer AND TREATMENT Erlotinib.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer or familial history is “What Should I Eat Differently from Before?” and how they should choose foods and supplements to manage risks of the disease. Since for cancer risk there is nothing actionable in terms of treatment – decisions of foods and supplements become important and one of the very few actionable things which can be done. All plant-based foods are not equal and based on identified genetics and pathway signature – the choices of food and supplements should be personalized.

Choose Vegetable GIANT BUTTERBUR or OYSTER MUSHROOM?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Adherens junction, P53 Signaling, Cell Junctions and RAS-RAF Signaling and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E. This is because Giant Butterbur increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Oyster Mushroom are Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Small Molecule Transport and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Oyster Mushroom is not recommended when risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER OYSTER MUSHROOM FOR CACNA1E GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit CLOUDBERRY or PUMMELO?

Fruit Cloudberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Adherens junction, P53 Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Cloudberry is recommended for risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E. This is because Cloudberry increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Apigenin, Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Extracellular Matrix Remodelling, Small Molecule Transport, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Cell Junctions and others. Pummelo is not recommended when risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT CLOUDBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR CACNA1E GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut CHIA or PISTACHIO?

Chia contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like P53 Signaling, Focal Adhesion, Cell Junctions and Small Molecule Transport and others. Chia is recommended for risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E. This is because Chia increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Pistachio are Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Focal Adhesion, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and Cell Junctions and others. Pistachio is not recommended when risk of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer when associated genetic risk is CACNA1E because it increases the signature pathways of it.

CHIA IS RECOMMENDED OVER PISTACHIO FOR CACNA1E GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer patients and individuals with genetic-risk always have this question: “What foods and nutritional supplements are recommended for me and which are not?” There is a common belief which is a misconception that all plant-based foods could be beneficial or not but would not be harmful. Certain foods and supplements can interfere with cancer treatments or promote molecular pathway drivers of cancer.

There are different types of cancer indications like Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, each with different tumor genetics with further genomic variations across each individual. Further every cancer treatment and chemotherapy has a unique mechanism of action. Each food like Cauliflower contains various bioactives in different quantities, which have an impact on different and distinct sets of biochemical pathways. The definition of personalized nutrition is individualized food recommendations for the cancer indication, treatments, genetics, lifestyle and other factors. Nutrition personalization decisions for cancer require knowledge of cancer biology, food science and an understanding of different chemotherapy treatments. Finally when there are treatment changes or new genomics is identified – the nutrition personalization needs re-evaluation.

The addon nutrition personalization solution makes the decision making easy and removes all the guesswork in answering the question, “What foods should I choose or not choose for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.

References

• Pan Origimed 2020
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• Morusin induces cell death through inactivating STAT3 signaling in prostate cancer cells.
• Vitamin C enhances epigenetic modifications induced by 5-azacytidine and cell cycle arrest in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HLE and Huh7.
• Brassinin Represses Invasive Potential of Lung Carcinoma Cells through Deactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Cascade.
• β-Sitosterol and Gemcitabine Exhibit Synergistic Anti-pancreatic Cancer Activity by Modulating Apoptosis and Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Deactivating Akt/GSK-3β Signaling.
• Antiproliferative effect of p-Coumaric acid targets UPR activation by downregulating Grp78 in colon cancer.