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 Sarcoma when undergoing chemotherapy or when you determine you have a genetic risk for developing Sarcoma because of PDGFRB and PIK3R1 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 Sarcoma 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 Cranberry” or “Include fruit Cherimoya in my diet” or “Should I reduce consumption of vegetable Brussels Sprout” or “Can I take Dim 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 SARCOMA, TREATMENTS, GENETIC INFORMATION, AND OTHER CONDITIONS.
The overall objective of personalized nutrition for Sarcoma 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 SARCOMA, WHEN TREATMENTS, DISEASE STATUS AND OTHER CONDITIONS CHANGE.
About Sarcoma
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 Sarcoma from cBioPortal. The patients enrolled in the studies for Sarcoma are in ages between 7 to 61 with an average age of 49. 47.3% of males and 52.7% of females were the distribution of gender in these clinical studies. From a patient sample size of 322; the top genes with mutations and other abnormalities for Sarcoma include genes TP53, PDGFRB, PIK3R1, PI4KA and ERCC2. The occurrence frequency distribution for these genes respectively is 5.5%, 2.8%, 1.8%, 1.8% and 1.8%. These tumor genetic details of Sarcoma are mapped to molecular biochemical pathway drivers of cancer thereby providing definition of characteristic features of Sarcoma.
Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that affects tissues of the smooth muscles (leiomyosarcoma), tendons, fat (liposarcoma), lymph and blood vessels, and nerves. Nearly all sarcomas in adults develops in arms and legs, chest and stomach. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the likelihood of longer-term survival. 5-year survival for adults with sarcoma is approximately 65% and the survival rate increases to 81% for people whose cancer is diagnosed and treated before it spreads. Men are slightly more likely than women to develop soft tissue sarcoma. Treatment options for sarcoma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies, supported by the right nutrition (foods and natural supplements) aligned with the treatment context. (Ref: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21732-adult-soft-tissue-sarcoma)
Significance of Nutrition for Sarcoma
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 Sarcoma. 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 Cranberry includes active ingredients Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Myricetin, Hyperoside, Resveratrol and others. And Cherimoya contains active ingredients Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Stigmasterol, Vitamin C, Oleic 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 Sarcoma, activation or inhibition of selected biochemical pathways like RUNX Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, 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 Sarcoma, 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 SARCOMA – CONSIDER HIGH QUANTITY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CONTAINED IN FOODS.
Foods for Sarcoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment
In Sarcoma – the genes TP53, PDGFRB, PIK3R1, PI4KA and ERCC2 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 Sarcoma are RUNX Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Cell Cycle and others. Dacarbazine is one of the chemotherapies used for cancer treatment. The intent of treatment is to negate or cancel out effects of biochemical pathway drivers RUNX Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, Cell Cycle 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 Common Bean?
Pulses are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Scarlet Bean are Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Stigmasterol, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Common Bean are Apigenin, Esculin, Linolenic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Inositol Phosphate Signaling, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Stigmasterol has biological action on biochemical pathways JAK-STAT Signaling, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling.
Apigenin can manipulate biochemical pathways DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress. Esculin has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress. And so on.
When treating Sarcoma with chemotherapy Dacarbazine – Foods like Scarlet Bean are recommended compared to Common Bean. This is because the active ingredients Apigenin and Esculin in Common Bean interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Stigmasterol 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 COMMON BEAN FOR SARCOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DACARBAZINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more vegetables, Jicama or Brussels Sprout?
Vegetables are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Jicama are Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, Vitamin A, Folic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Brussels Sprout are Beta-sitosterol, Brassinin, Linolenic Acid, Vitamin C, Indole-3-carbinol and others.
Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling. Beta-carotene has biological action on biochemical pathways NFKB Signaling, DNA Repair and P53 Signaling.
Brassinin can manipulate biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. Indole-3-carbinol has biological action on biochemical pathways DNA Repair. And so on.
When treating Sarcoma with chemotherapy Dacarbazine – Foods like Jicama are recommended compared to Brussels Sprout. This is because the active ingredients Brassinin and Indole-3-carbinol in Brussels Sprout interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Vitamin C and Beta-carotene contained in Jicama support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: JICAMA IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRUSSELS SPROUT FOR SARCOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DACARBAZINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more fruits, Cherimoya or Cranberry?
Fruits are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Cherimoya are Beta-sitosterol, Linolenic Acid, Stigmasterol, Vitamin C, Oleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Cranberry are Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Myricetin, Hyperoside, Resveratrol and others.
Beta-sitosterol can manipulate biochemical pathways Inositol Phosphate Signaling, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Stigmasterol has biological action on biochemical pathways JAK-STAT Signaling, Cell Cycle and MYC Signaling.
Ellagic Acid can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Quercetin has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.
When treating Sarcoma with chemotherapy Dacarbazine – Foods like Cherimoya are recommended compared to Cranberry. This is because the active ingredients Ellagic Acid and Quercetin in Cranberry interferes with treatment action by canceling out the biochemical pathways through which the chemotherapy works. While the active ingredients Beta-sitosterol and Stigmasterol contained in Cherimoya support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: CHERIMOYA IS RECOMMENDED OVER CRANBERRY FOR SARCOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DACARBAZINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.
Eat more nuts, Hazelnut or Acorn?
Nuts are an important part of many diets. The active ingredients contained in Hazelnut are Vitamin E, Quercetin, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Acorn are Quercetin, Beta-sitosterol, Gallic Acid, Beta-carotene, Vitamin C and others.
Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways Inositol Phosphate Signaling, NFKB Signaling and Apoptosis. Myricitrin has biological action on biochemical pathways Chemokine Signaling, JAK-STAT Signaling and MYC Signaling.
Quercetin can manipulate biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. Gallic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Oxidative Stress. And so on.
When treating Sarcoma with chemotherapy Dacarbazine – Foods like Hazelnut 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 Myricitrin contained in Hazelnut support the treatment action by enhancing the biochemical pathway effect through which the chemotherapy works.
RECOMMENDATION: HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER ACORN FOR SARCOMA ON TREATMENT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY DACARBAZINE FOR SOME CONDITIONS.

Foods for Genetic Risk of Sarcoma
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. PDGFRB and PIK3R1 are two genes whose abnormalities are risk factors for Sarcoma. 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 Sarcoma can be used as a guide for coming up with a recommended personalized nutrition plan. For Sarcoma gene PDGFRB has causative impact on biological pathways like MAPK Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And PIK3R1 has a causative impact on biological pathways like Hematopoiesis and Cytokine Signaling. Foods and nutritional supplements which have molecular action to cancel out biochemical pathways effects of genes like PDGFRB and PIK3R1 should be included in a personalized nutrition plan. And those foods and supplements which promote the effects of genes PDGFRB and PIK3R1 should be avoided.
Eat more pulses, Mung Bean or Soy Bean?
The active ingredients contained in Mung Bean are Quercetin, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Vitexin among others. While the active ingredients contained in Soy Bean are Lupeol, Daidzein, Vitamin E, Quercetin, Beta-sitosterol and others.
Vitamin C can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Vitexin has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and RAS-RAF Signaling.
Aescin can manipulate biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Lecithin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Sarcoma due to abnormalities in genes PDGFRB and PIK3R1 – Foods like Mung Bean 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 Vitexin contained in Mung Bean together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: MUNG BEAN IS RECOMMENDED OVER SOY BEAN FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF SARCOMA DUE TO GENES PDGFRB AND PIK3R1
Eat more vegetables, Cassava or Radish?
The active ingredients contained in Cassava are Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Radish are Quercetin, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, P-coumaric Acid, Linolenic Acid 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, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Apoptosis.
Pelargonidin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Apoptosis, P53 Signaling and RAS-RAF Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Sarcoma due to abnormalities in genes PDGFRB and PIK3R1 – Foods like Cassava are recommended compared to Radish. This is because the active ingredients Pelargonidin and Folic Acid in Radish 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 RADISH FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF SARCOMA DUE TO GENES PDGFRB AND PIK3R1
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, Orange or Huckleberry?
The active ingredients contained in Orange are D-limonene, Linalool, Modified Citrus Pectin, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Huckleberry are Resveratrol, Quercetin, Vitamin C, P-coumaric Acid, Ferulic Acid and others.
D-limonene can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, Growth Factor Signaling and MYC Signaling. Vitamin C has biological action on biochemical pathways P53 Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling.
Resveratrol can manipulate biochemical pathways P53 Signaling. Pelargonidin has biological action on biochemical pathways MYC Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. And so on.
For genetic risk of Sarcoma due to abnormalities in genes PDGFRB and PIK3R1 – Foods like Orange are recommended compared to Huckleberry. This is because the active ingredients Resveratrol and Pelargonidin in Huckleberry further promote the effects of genes on the biochemical pathways. While the active ingredients D-limonene and Vitamin C contained in Orange together have a canceling effect of genes on the biochemical pathways.
RECOMMENDATION: ORANGE IS RECOMMENDED OVER HUCKLEBERRY FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF SARCOMA DUE TO GENES PDGFRB AND PIK3R1
Eat more nuts, Pecan Nut or Peanut?
The active ingredients contained in Pecan Nut are Vitamin E, Linolenic Acid, Cianidanol, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid among others. While the active ingredients contained in Peanut are Vitamin E, Quercetin, Beta-sitosterol, Vitamin C, Linolenic Acid and others.
Vitamin E can manipulate biochemical pathways Apoptosis, MYC Signaling and P53 Signaling. Cianidanol has biological action on biochemical pathways Cell Cycle Checkpoints, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Apoptosis.
Lecithin can manipulate biochemical pathways MYC Signaling and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling. Folic Acid has biological action on biochemical pathways Apoptosis, P53 Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints. And so on.
For genetic risk of Sarcoma due to abnormalities in genes PDGFRB and PIK3R1 – Foods like Pecan Nut 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 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 PEANUT FOR REDUCING THE GENETIC RISK OF SARCOMA DUE TO GENES PDGFRB AND PIK3R1

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 Sarcoma 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
- Mixed Kunga Msk 2022
- Subtype-specific genomic alterations define new targets for soft-tissue sarcoma therapy.
- β-Sitosterol targets Trx/Trx1 reductase to induce apoptosis in A549 cells via ROS mediated mitochondrial dysregulation and p53 activation.
- Stigmasterol Causes Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.
- Small-molecule inhibitors of NADPH oxidase 4.
- Anti-oxidative and photo-protective effects of coumarins isolated from Fraxinus chinensis.
- Indeno[1,2-b]indole derivatives as a novel class of potent human protein kinase CK2 inhibitors.
- Vitamin C enhances epigenetic modifications induced by 5-azacytidine and cell cycle arrest in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HLE and Huh7.
- The effect of Pasteurella haemolytica cytotoxin on bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes can be attenuated by beta-adrenoceptor antagonists.
- Inhibitory effect of brassinin on TNF‑α‑induced vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
- Indole-3-carbinol activates the ATM signaling pathway independent of DNA damage to stabilize p53 and induce G1 arrest of human mammary epithelial cells.
- 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.
- Myricitrin blocks activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways to protect nigrostriatum neuron in LPS-stimulated mice.
- Cardioprotective effect of gallic acid on cardiac troponin-T, cardiac marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation products and antioxidants in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats.
- Purified vitexin compound 1, a new neolignan isolated compound, promotes PUMA-dependent apoptosis in colorectal cancer.
- The recruitment of Raf-1 to membranes is mediated by direct interaction with phosphatidic acid and is independent of association with Ras.
- D-Limonene modulates inflammation, oxidative stress and Ras-ERK pathway to inhibit murine skin tumorigenesis.
- Resveratrol, a remarkable inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase.
- Pelargonidin suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells through inhibition of PPAR-γ signaling pathway.
- Effects of folate deficiency on gene expression in the apoptosis and cancer pathways in colon cancer cells.
- 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.