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CAM
& Life Style
> A - E
Last Update:
07/25/2010
The abstracts within do not demonstrate proof of
benefit or absence of risk.
See Evaluating Medical Claims &
Data for details.
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TOPICS
Acid/Alkaline
Diet | Acupuncture
| Allergens & infections | Antioxidants
| Arginine | Astragalus
| Beta-carotene
|Beta glucans | CAAT? | CoQ10 | Copper
| Detoxifying?
| Diindolylmethane
To avoid potential
adverse interactions, be sure to let your health care provider know
if you use any type of complementary therapy.
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Acid/Alkaline Diet?
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Topic moved here.
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Acupuncture
Questions and related abstracts
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Acupuncture is the
insertion of very fine needles, (sometimes in conjunction with electrical
stimulus), on the body's surface, in order to influence physiological
functioning of the body - acupuncture.com
 TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Questions:
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Can the cancer patient benefit from the use of
acupuncture for pain management and symptoms associated with treatment?
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Can acupuncture influence the immune system in
clinically significant ways? |
Abstracts and Resources:
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Recommended:
Acupuncture to relieve side effects of chemotherapy - alleghanyregionalemonstration
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Push and Poke - Acupuncture for relief of chemotherapy side
effects? - Healthology
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Acupuncture in Demand By Cancer Patients - cancerwise.org
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Effect of Acupuncture Compared with Placebo-Acupuncture at P6 as Additional Antiemetic Prophylaxis in High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
~ A Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Trial
- full text clincancerres.aacrjournals.org
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Acupuncture
for management of pain.
Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2000 Jul;30(4):875-84, viii.
Review.
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Allergens
& chronic infections
Questions and
related abstracts
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Allergens are substances (pollen, bacteria, fungus, proteins)
that can cause the immune system to react. Some malignant
lymphocytes, such as follicular lymphoma cells, may be
allergen-driven.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Questions:
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Can chronic allergic conditions or infections
contribute to causing lymphoma, or affect immune profile (Th1/Th2)? |
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Can an individual's immune profile influence one's ability
to benefit from immunotherapies? |
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Do allergens and allergies promote lymphoma growth,
or limit the ability of the immune system to inhibit disease
progression? |
Related text:
"There is some sort of chronic stimulation of the
immune system, either a bacteria or a virus or an allergen or a
chemical," says Schuster. "In the process of being activated for
a long period of time [the immune system], it increases the chances there
will be an erroneous distribution of genes that undergo malignant
transformation." These malignant changes produce non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma. Source: click
here (free login req.)
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Antineoplaston therapy?
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TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Occasionally
we receive questions about the potential merits of this therapy.
Antineoplaston studies for lymphoma have been ongoing for approximately
ten years, but still the investigator has not published outcome data.
Therefore, we think that Dr. Burzynski ought to publish his data, or stop
offering the treatment - which we know to be very expensive for the
patient (as much as $100,000 per year); and
The
Antineoplaston Anomaly: How A Drug Was Used For Decades In Thousands Of
Patients, With No Safety, Efficacy Data
(The Cancer Letter, Vol. 24, No. 36, Sept. 25, 1998. Copyright 1998, The
Cancer Letter Inc. All rights reserved.) http://www.cancerletter.com/vol24n36.html
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Antioxidants
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: a variety of fruits and vegetables
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The use of
antioxidants during chemotherapy and
radiation treatment is
controversial.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Antioxidants with chemotherapy?
NOTE: Some recent studies suggest that antioxidants
may enhance chemotherapy; that oxidative stress can interfere with
chemotherapy induced apoptosis. Importantly, high doses of one
antioxidant, vitamin C, results in oxidative effects (opposite
of antioxidant). This adds to the complexity and confusion for
both patients and physicians.
Questions:
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Can use of antioxidants enhance apoptosis
(programmed cell death) mechanism of standard treatments? |
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If the use of antioxidants in not recommended during
chemotherapy, should patients avoid eating fruits and vegetables? |
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Is there any solid data that patients can use as
a guide in the controversy of taking antioxidants during
chemotherapy or radiation? |
Abstracts & resources:
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Too many vitamin tablets could be bad for your health
http://bit.ly/aeM43O |
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Dietary antioxidants during cancer chemotherapy:
impact on chemotherapeutic effectiveness and development of side
effects.
Nutr Cancer. 2000;37(1):1-18. Review. PMID:
10965514
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The use
of antioxidant therapies during chemotherapy.
Gynecol Oncol. 2003 Mar;88(3):434-9. PMID: 12648599 - PubMed
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Neuroprotective effect of vitamin e
supplementation in patients treated with Cisplatin chemotherapy. J
Clin Oncol. 2003 Mar 1;21(5):927-31. PMID: 12610195 - PubMed
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Induction
of apoptosis by chemotherapeutic drugs without generation of
reactive oxygen species. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2002 Jan
15;397(2):262-72. PMID: 11795881
- PubMed
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Oxidative
stress interferes with cancer chemotherapy: inhibition of lymphoma
cell apoptosis and phagocytosis. Blood. 2000 Jul
1;96(1):307-13. PMID: 1089146 - PubMed
"If oxidants have the same effect on drug-induced apoptosis
in vivo as they do in vitro, then the overall effectiveness of
chemotherapy might be improved by coadministering antioxidants
with the chemotherapeutic agents." - Quote from full text of
cited study.
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Coq10
Summary Report - UTCAM
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The effect of selenium and/or vitamin E
treatments on radiation-induced intestinal injury in rats. -
Life Sci 2000 Apr 7;66
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Arginine
(L-arginine)
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: brown rice, nuts, popcorn, raisins, and
whole-wheat products
Background:
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Arginine
is an amino acid, which is thought to support thymus function.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Questions:
Abstracts:
The effect of amino acids and amino acid
derivatives on cell proliferation.
Acta Biomed Ateneo Parmense. 1993;64(5-6):139-45. PMID: 7992551 - PubMed
Effect of fish oil,
arginine, and doxorubicin chemotherapy
on remission and survival time for dogs with lymphoma: a double-blind, randomized
placebo-controlled study. Cancer. 2000 Apr 15;88(8):1916-28. - PubMed
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Astragalus
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: brown rice, nuts, popcorn, raisins, and
whole-wheat products
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Nothing specific to lymphoma |
Beta-carotene
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: Dark green and orange-yellow
vegetables
Background:
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Beta-carotene
is a compound from plants that the body can convert into vitamin A.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Questions:
Abstracts:
Role of beta-carotene on the changes in activity patterns and
levels of biotransforming enzymes in transplantable murine (mouse)
lymphoma. Cancer Lett. 1995 Apr 14; 90(2): 191-7. PMID:
7736455 | Related
articles
Beta-carotene enhances natural killer cell activity in athymic
mice.
In Vivo. 1997 Jan-Feb; 11(1): 87-91. PMID:
9067776 | Related
articles
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Beta-Glucan
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: various bacterial, mushroom, yeast,
and cereal sources
Background:
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Beta
glucans (β1,3-glucans)
such as from Reishi mushroom TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
While there is preclinical interest and study in this natural product,
we are not aware of any clinical study showing it can be beneficial for
specific cancers during treatment (as of July 2010). At present there
are no active studies for "Ganoderma lucidum" (Reishi mushroom) and
lymphoma in the ClinicalTrials.gov registry.
One issue is the lack of study on purified compounds as described in a
review paper:
Copying: "Careful selection of appropriate β-glucans is essential
if we wish to investigate the effects of β-glucans clinically. So far,
no good quality clinical trial data is available on assessing the
effectiveness of purified β-glucans among cancer patients. Future effort
should direct at performing well-designed clinical trials to verify the
actual clinical efficacy of β-glucans or β-glucans containing
compounds."
Source: The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells
Chan, et al. J Hematol Oncol.
2009;
2:
25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Since Reishi mushroom is a commercially available product, be aware that
the potential of this product is often hyped on the Internet ...
particularly by groups that sell supplement - or well-meaning people
hoping that natural products will provide some kind of magical advantage
over modern medicine.
Finally, there is no more potent stimulant of the immune system (the
granulocytes component) than g-csf (neupogen) to keep you on schedule
and reduce the risk of infection.
About Glucans: "Glucans are polysaccharides made up of chains of
glucose molecules. The term "beta" refers to the steric position
of the glucose hydroxyl group involved in the chain formation. The terms
beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-glucans are often used; the numerals refer to the
positions on the glucose molecules that link them together. Beta-glucans
are components of plant cell walls, including bacteria and fungi as well
as higher plants, and are found in relatively large amounts in oats, yeast
and mushrooms." [1] ... nnfa.org
Questions:
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Are immune stimulants safe for patients with
lymphomas? |
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Can they be useful as
adjutants to treatments? |
Abstracts:
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Beta Glucans - Scientific Backgrounder -
nnfa.org
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Mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment - PubMed
abstracts
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Beta Glucan, Complement, and Rituxan - clltopics.org
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Orally administered beta-glucans enhance anti-tumor effects of
monoclonal antibodies.
Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2002 Nov;51(10):557-64. Epub 2002 Sep 20. PMID:
12384807
Caveat? There is a theoretical concern about using
non-specific
immune stimulants when you have lymphoma - a cancer
of
lymphocytes (immune cells). See related and specific
articles that
come to different conclusions: Related
articles
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Immunostimulant oxidized beta-glucan conjugates.
Int
Immunopharmacol.
2001 Mar;1(3):539-50. PMID:
11367537
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Stimulation of humoral and cell mediated immunity by
polysaccharide
from mushroom Phellinus linteus. Int J Immunopharmacol.
1996 May;18(5):295-303. PMID:
8933208
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Complement function in mAb-mediated cancer immunotherapy -
biopolymer.com
PDF
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The effect of molecular weight and beta-1,6-linkages on priming
of macrophage function in mice by (1,3)-beta-D-glucan. Immunol Cell
Biol. 1999 Oct;77(5):395-403.
PMID:
10540205
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Phase I Study of Beta-Glucan
and Rituximab in Children and
Adolescents with Relapsed CD20-Positive Lymphoma or Leukemia
or Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease -
MSKCC
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Can maitake MD-fraction
aid cancer patients?
Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):236-9. Review.
PMID:
12126464
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Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the Control of the T Lymph Node Th-1/Th-2 Proportion
Atsuyuki Inoue1), Noriko Kodama1) and Hiroaki Nanba1) 1) Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
- abstract
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PDF
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CAAT?
(Amino Acid Deprivation)
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CAAT the
promotion: "utilizes the chemical reactions and
interactions between amino acids, foods and phytochemical supplements to
alter or impair the development of cancer cells." http://www.apjci.com
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
COMMENTS:
While no studies have been
undertaken (as of 10/08) to determine whether CAAT has any effect on
cancer in humans, they write:
"CAAT has benefited patients across the U.S., Canada, Europe,
South America,
even in such faraway lands as New Zealand and India. Our hope is that CAAT
can help you too." http://www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/treatment-2.htm
What is meant by benefited? ... The inference is the formula and
diet provides
clinical benefit, which has a special meaning in clinical science and is
very difficult to prove even with carefully controlled studies. No reputable scientist would make such a
statement ahead of clinical studies, so there's a credibility problem
here.
In the NHL section they write: "Clinical trials have already
been done with humans using amino acid depravation formulas, and with much
success. (Journal American Medical Association. 1967; 200:211)"
"Much success" is not informative. For what condition? For how long?
Did the patients live longer? Please note the date, 1967, and that
the study cannot be located on PubMed.
There are other red flags in the
website for CAAT. The untested formula and diet is promoted
for ALL cancer types, and statements
of fact are not supported by published studies (or marginally so as above)
.... the preclinical science that might support the concept are based on cell
culture experiments, which are poor models of treatment or side
effects
in the
human body.
Bottom line: without clinical
studies not even the practitioners know if the effects are positive,
negative, or neutral when given to cancer patients.
Regarding risks of CAAT, we are not qualified to predict, but worry that
true deprivation of essential amino acids might impact on health and
recovery from treatment. For example, a diet with sufficient protein is
frequently recommended during chemotherapy treatment and that amino acids
are the components of protein. See for example: chemocare.com
Before adopting CAAT you
might also consult with a dietician regarding the risks of amino acid
deprivation if still considering this alternative practice.
We do not recommend trying this or any theory-based intervention outside
of a clinical trial. If the theory has merit (looks promising in
animal studies for example), the authors could go to NIH and propose a
pilot study, or raise capital to do one independently. Taking the
shortcut of just marketing a theory of medicine is unethical, and probably
illegal too.
Related Topics:
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Chamomile
(Kamillosan oral rinse)
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Chamomile is
an herb extracted from the flower of the plant. Chamomile is widely used
in teas for its relaxing effect.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Questions:
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Is Chamomile useful and safe for treating or
relieving symptoms of mucositis? |
Related Abstracts:
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Management of oral mucositis during local radiation and systemic
chemotherapy: a study of 98 patients. J Prosthet Dent. 1991
Sep;66(3):361-9.
PMID: 1800734 - PubMed
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abstracts
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Prospective evaluation of a chamomile mouthwash for prevention of
5-FU-induced oral mucositis. Cancer. 1996 Feb 1;77(3):522-5. PMID:
8630960 - PubMed
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Prescription alternative to Kamillosan
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Chlorhexidine prophylaxis for chemotherapy- and
radiotherapy-induced stomatitis: a randomized double-blind trial.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1990 Mar;69(3):331-8.
PMID: 2179802 - PubMed
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CoQ10
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources:
primarily fish and meat
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Co-enzyme
Q10, or ubiquinone, is a nutrient produced in small amounts by the body
and also obtained from food. It plays a key role in helping the body
convert food into energy.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Drug Interaction Search: PubMed
Questions:
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Can use of CoQ10 protect patients from cardiac damage
during chemotherapy? |
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Does CoQ10 have anticancer properties specific to
lymphomas? |
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Can CoQ10 modulate immunity in ways that might
complement treatment? |
Related Abstracts:
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Copper
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: oysters. nuts, legumes, cereals,
potatoes, vegetables, and meat
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Copper
is an essential trace mineral. Some published studies indicate that copper levels rise and Zinc falls as NHL progresses.
CAUTION: See possible Caveats
of Low Copper
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
Low copper? "11 men on a
low-copper diet (0.66 mg copper/day for 24 days and 0.38 mg/day for
another 40 days) showed a decreased proliferation
response when white blood cells called mononuclear cells isolated from
their blood were presented with an immune challenge in cell culture (25).
While severe copper deficiency has adverse effects on immune function, the
effects of marginal copper insufficiency in humans are not yet
clear." - lpi.oregonstate.edu
Questions:
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Can high serum copper levels
- known
to increase with the progression of NHL -- make it unsafe to
supplement with vitamin C, especially when exposed to radiation? |
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Can reducing copper to low levels
safely and effectively inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessels that feed
tumors)? |
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Should patients be concerned about the
dietary intake of copper? |
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CAUTION: Might low copper levels interfere
with normal blood cell formation? |
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Should physicians monitor zinc/copper
levels and encourage supplementing with Zinc when copper is above
normal? |
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Might low zinc levels, associated with
NHL progression, inhibit activity of immune therapies? |
Related resources and abstracts:
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Recommended resource on copper -
Linus Pauling
Institute - lpi.oregonstate.edu
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Cu deficiency and myelodysplastic syndrome
- Related
abstracts
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CAUTION: Copper deficiency reduces interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and IL-2
mRNA in human T-lymphocytes. J Nutr. 1997 Feb;127(2):257-62. PMID:
9039825 - PubMed
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Roles of vitamin C in radiation-induced DNA damage
in presence and absence of copper.
Chem Biol Interact. 2001 Jul 31;137(1):75-88. PMID: 11518565 - PubMed
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Cellular
copper content modulates differentiation and self-renewal in cultures
of cord blood-derived CD34+ cells. Br J Haematol. 2002
Mar;116(3):655-61. PMID: 11849228 PubMed
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Detoxifying
as Treatment
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We have moved this topic here.
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DIM
- Diindolylmethane
Questions and related abstracts
Natural sources: broccoli, cabbage, turnip and mustard
greens.
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DIM
- Diindolylmethane is a
well-studied plant compound that has anti-cancer properties.
TOPIC
SEARCH: PubMed
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Agricultural Experiment Station has led to a patent
for a new use for derivatives of DIM, or diindolylmethane, a natural
compound derived from certain vegetables, to treat cancer - the
mechanism seems to be inhibition of PPAR-gamma -
agnews.tamu.edu/
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Related item: Human B lymphocytes and B lymphomas
express PPAR-gamma and are killed by PPAR-gamma agonists.
Clin
Immunol. 2002 Apr;103(1):22-33.
PMID:
11987982 |
Related
articles |
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