Introduction
Foods for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma?
For example does it matter if vegetable Cabbage is consumed more compared to Ostrich Fern? Does it make any difference if fruit Grapefruit is preferred over Nance? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Butternut over European Chestnut and for pulses like Gram Bean over Catjang Pea. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?
Yes! Foods you eat matters for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma!
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 Grapefruit contains active ingredients Curcumin, Catechol, Isoliquiritigenin, Daidzein, Phloretin. And Nance contains active ingredients Curcumin, Catechol, Myricetin, Apigenin, Isoliquiritigenin and possibly others.
A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma – 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.
YES – FOOD CHOICES MATTER FOR CANCER. NUTRITION DECISIONS MUST CONSIDER ALL ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF FOODS.
Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma?
Personalized nutrition for cancers like Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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.
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.
Characteristics of cancers like Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
All cancers like Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Focal Adhesion, MAPK Signaling are part of the signature definition of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.
The treatments which are effective for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when taking cancer treatment Fluorouracil, 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.
NOTCH1, ACTB, KDM6A, SMARCA2 and BCOR are the top ranked reported genes for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. NOTCH1 is reported in 4.5 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And ACTB is reported in 4.1 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 18 to 88. 50.5 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
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 CABBAGE or OSTRICH FERN?
Vegetable Cabbage contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Curcumin, Catechol, Myricetin, Apigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, NFKB Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and MAPK Signaling and others. Cabbage is recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Cabbage modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.
Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Ostrich Fern are Curcumin, Catechol, Myricetin, Apigenin, Isoliquiritigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Oxidative Stress, Nucleotide metabolism, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and DNA Repair and others. Ostrich Fern is not recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.
VEGETABLE CABBAGE IS RECOMMENDED OVER OSTRICH FERN FOR Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.
Choose Fruit NANCE or GRAPEFRUIT?
Fruit Nance contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Catechol, Myricetin, Apigenin, Isoliquiritigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Hypoxia and others. Nance is recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Nance modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.
Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Grapefruit are Curcumin, Catechol, Isoliquiritigenin, Daidzein, Phloretin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Oxidative Stress and others. Grapefruit is not recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.
FRUIT NANCE IS RECOMMENDED OVER GRAPEFRUIT FOR Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.
Choose Nut BUTTERNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?
Butternut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Catechol, Myricetin, Apigenin, Isoliquiritigenin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, NFKB Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Hypoxia and others. Butternut is recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil. This is because Butternut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Fluorouracil.
Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Quercetin, Curcumin, Catechol, Ellagic Acid, Myricetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Oxidative Stress, Nucleotide metabolism, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Beta Catenin Signaling and others. European Chestnut is not recommended for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Fluorouracil because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.
BUTTERNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma AND TREATMENT Fluorouracil.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer
The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 CAULIFLOWER or WHITE CABBAGE?
Vegetable Cauliflower contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin, Eugenol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Apoptosis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Cell Cycle Checkpoints and P53 Signaling and others. Cauliflower is recommended for risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB. This is because Cauliflower increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.
Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable White Cabbage are Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and MYC Signaling and others. White Cabbage is not recommended when risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB because it increases the signature pathways of it.
VEGETABLE CAULIFLOWER IS RECOMMENDED OVER WHITE CABBAGE FOR ACTB GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.
Choose Fruit RED RASPBERRY or PUMMELO?
Fruit Red Raspberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and P53 Signaling and others. Red Raspberry is recommended for risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB. This is because Red Raspberry 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, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Notch Signaling and others. Pummelo is not recommended when risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB because it increases the signature pathways of it.
FRUIT RED RASPBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR ACTB GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.
Choose Nut BLACK WALNUT or CHESTNUT?
Black Walnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Quercetin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Black Walnut is recommended for risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB. This is because Black Walnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.
Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Chestnut are Apigenin, Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Lupeol, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cytoskeletal Dynamics, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Focal Adhesion and others. Chestnut is not recommended when risk of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma when associated genetic risk is ACTB because it increases the signature pathways of it.
BLACK WALNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER CHESTNUT FOR ACTB GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion
Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, 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 Cabbage 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 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.
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.
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