Foods for Ependymoma!

Introduction

Foods for Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma?

For example does it matter if vegetable Cauliflower is consumed more compared to Welsh Onion? Does it make any difference if fruit Pummelo is preferred over Evergreen Blackberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Japanese Walnut over Brazil Nut and for pulses like Green Bean over Soy Bean. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Ependymoma and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Ependymoma!

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 Pummelo contains active ingredients Curcumin, Beta-caryophyllene, Quercetin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde. And Evergreen Blackberry contains active ingredients Ellagic Acid, Cinnamaldehyde, Myricetin, Linalool, Geraniol and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Ependymoma – 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 Ependymoma.

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

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Ependymoma?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma

All cancers like Ependymoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Ependymoma. Biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Histone Methylation, Hippo Signaling are part of the signature definition of Ependymoma. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma when taking cancer treatment Temozolomide, 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.

PIK3C3, FGFR1, EP300, APC and FLT4 are the top ranked reported genes for Ependymoma. PIK3C3 is reported in 9.1 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And FGFR1 is reported in 9.1 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 1 to 70. 63.8 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Ependymoma 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 Ependymoma

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 WELSH ONION?

Vegetable Cauliflower contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Cauliflower is recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide. This is because Cauliflower modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Temozolomide.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Welsh Onion are Curcumin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde, Lycopene, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Welsh Onion is not recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE CAULIFLOWER IS RECOMMENDED OVER WELSH ONION FOR Ependymoma AND TREATMENT Temozolomide.

Choose Fruit EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY or PUMMELO?

Fruit Evergreen Blackberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Ellagic Acid, Cinnamaldehyde, Myricetin, Linalool, Geraniol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Evergreen Blackberry is recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide. This is because Evergreen Blackberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Temozolomide.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Curcumin, Beta-caryophyllene, Quercetin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Pummelo is not recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR Ependymoma AND TREATMENT Temozolomide.

Choose Nut JAPANESE WALNUT or BRAZIL NUT?

Japanese Walnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde, Lycopene. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Japanese Walnut is recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide. This is because Japanese Walnut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Temozolomide.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Brazil Nut are Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamaldehyde, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Brazil Nut is not recommended for Ependymoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Temozolomide because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

JAPANESE WALNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR Ependymoma AND TREATMENT Temozolomide.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Ependymoma 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 SPINACH?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, Stem Cell Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC. 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 Spinach are Curcumin, Apigenin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, Stem Cell Signaling and MAPK Signaling and others. Spinach is not recommended when risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER SPINACH FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit JAVA PLUM or FIG?

Fruit Java Plum contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Ellagic Acid, Lycopene, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like RAS-RAF Signaling, Stem Cell Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Java Plum is recommended for risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC. This is because Java Plum increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Fig are Curcumin, Quercetin, Linalool, Lycopene, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and MAPK Signaling and others. Fig is not recommended when risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT JAVA PLUM IS RECOMMENDED OVER FIG FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut COMMON HAZELNUT or MACADAMIA NUT?

Common Hazelnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Quercetin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Growth Factor Signaling and P53 Signaling and others. Common Hazelnut is recommended for risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC. This is because Common Hazelnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Macadamia Nut are Curcumin, Apigenin, Lupeol, Formononetin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and MAPK Signaling and others. Macadamia Nut is not recommended when risk of Ependymoma when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

COMMON HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER MACADAMIA NUT FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

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

References

• Metastatic Solid Tumors Mich 2017
• Integrative clinical genomics of metastatic cancer.
• New concepts in phospholipase D signaling in inflammation and cancer.
• Aqueous cinnamon extract (ACE-c) from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia causes apoptosis in human cervical cancer cell line (SiHa) through loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.
• Pelargonidin induces antitumor effects in human osteosarcoma cells via autophagy induction, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, G2/M cell cycle arrest and downregulation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.
• Preventive effects of butyric acid, nicotinamide, calcium glucarate alone or in combination during the 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced mouse skin tumorigenesis via modulation of K-Ras-PI3K-AKTpathway and associated micro RNAs.
• Betulinic acid inhibits prostate cancer growth through inhibition of specificity protein transcription factors.
• Growth stimulation of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells and small airway epithelial cells by beta-carotene via activation of cAMP, PKA, CREB and ERK1/2.