Cancer Prevention Research 2, 850, October 1, 2009.doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-08-0238

A Model of Gene-Environment Interaction Reveals Altered Mammary Gland Gene Expression and Increased Tumor Growth following Social Isolation

J. Bradley Williams1, Diana Pang1, Bertha Delgado2,3, Masha Kocherginsky4, Maria Tretiakova2, Thomas Krausz2, Deng Pan1, Jane He1, Martha K. McClintock3 and Suzanne D. Conzen1,3,5

Authors’ Affiliations: Departments of 1 Medicine and 2 Pathology, 3 The Institute of Mind and Biology, 4 Department of Health Studies, and 5 Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Clinical studies have revealed that social support improves the outcome of cancer patients, whereas epidemiologic studies suggest that social isolation increases the risk of death associated with several chronic diseases. However, the precise molecular consequences of an unfavorable social environment have not been defined. To do so, robust, reproducible preclinical models are needed to study the mechanisms whereby an adverse environment affects gene expression and cancer biology. Because random assignment of inbred laboratory mice to well-defined social environments allows accurate and repeated measurements of behavioral and endocrine parameters, transgenic mice provide a preclinical framework with which to begin to determine gene-environment mechanisms. In this study, we found that female C3(1)/SV40 T-antigen mice deprived of social interaction from weaning exhibited increased expression of genes encoding key metabolic pathway enzymes in the premalignant mammary gland. Chronic social isolation was associated with up-regulated lipid synthesis and glycolytic pathway gene expression—both pathways are known to contribute to increased breast cancer growth. Consistent with the expression of metabolic genes in premalignant mammary tissue, isolated mice subsequently developed a significantly larger mammary gland tumors burden compared with group-housed mice. Endocrine evaluation confirmed that isolated mice developed a heightened corticosterone stress response compared with group-housed mice. Together, these transdisciplinary studies show for the first time that an adverse social environment is associated with altered mammary gland gene expression and tumor growth. Moreover, the identification of specific alterations in metabolic pathways gene expression favoring tumor growth suggests potential molecular biomarkers and/or targets (e.g., fatty acid synthesis) for preventive intervention in breast cancer.

Effects of Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin on Low-Dose Aflatoxin B1 Pharmacokinetics in Human Volunteers

Carole Jubert1, John Mata2, Graham Bench4, Roderick Dashwood1,3, Cliff Pereira3, William Tracewell5, Kenneth Turteltaub4, David Williams1,3 and George Bailey1,3

Authors’ Affiliations: 1 Linus Pauling Institute, 2 Biomedical Sciences, and 3 Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis Oregon; 4 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore California; and 5 Cephalon, Inc., West Chester Pennsylvania

Chlorophyll (Chla) and chlorophyllin (CHL) were shown previously to reduce carcinogen bioavailability, biomarker damage, and tumorigenicity in trout and rats. These findings were partially extended to humans, where CHL reduced excretion of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-DNA repair products in Chinese unavoidably exposed to dietary AFB1. However, neither AFB1 pharmacokinetics nor Chla effects were examined. We conducted an unblinded crossover study to establish AFB1 pharmacokinetic parameters among four human volunteers, and to explore possible effects of CHL or Chla cotreatment in three of those volunteers. For protocol 1, fasted subjects received an Institutional Review Board–approved dose of 14C-AFB1 (30 ng, 5 nCi) by capsule with 100 mL water, followed by normal eating and drinking after 2 hours. Blood and cumulative urine samples were collected over 72 hours, and 14C- AFB1 equivalents were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry. Protocols 2 and 3 were similar except capsules also contained 150 mg of purified Chla or CHL, respectively. Protocols were repeated thrice for each volunteer. The study revealed rapid human AFB1 uptake (plasma ka, 5.05 ± 1.10 h–1; Tmax, 1.0 hour) and urinary elimination (95% complete by 24 hours) kinetics. Chla and CHL treatment each significantly impeded AFB1 absorption and reduced Cmax and AUCs (plasma and urine) in one or more subjects. These initial results provide AFB1 pharmacokinetic parameters previously unavailable for humans, and suggest that Chla or CHL co-consumption may limit the bioavailability of ingested aflatoxin in humans, as they do in animal models.

Chances for developing stomach cancer are still very low in young adults but the incidence among 25 to 39 year old whites nonetheless climbed by almost 70 percent in the past three decades, a study found.

National Cancer Institute researchers and colleagues examined new cases from 1977 to 2006 of cancer in the lower stomach, which can be caused by chronic infection with a common bacteria called H. pylori. It also causes stomach ulcers.

Overall, there were 39,003 cases detected in a surveillance program that covers about one-fourth of the U.S. population.

These included only 734 white young adults, but their incidence rate climbed from .54 per 200,000 to about 1 per 200,000.

Among white adults aged 25 to age 84, the rate declined from almost 12 per 200,000 to 8 per 200,000; among black adults it declined from about 27 per 200,000 to 19 per 200,000.

Rates also declined for other races, which weren’t specified.

Dr. Jaffer Ajani, a digestive cancer specialist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said the increase in young white adults is surprising but not alarming. Ajani, who was not involved in the research, said it could be a statistical blip but that it needs to be investigated.

The study appears in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. It focused on lower stomach cancer, not cancer of the upper stomach, which has been linked with gastric reflux. Together, these cancers are the fourth most common type of cancer worldwide.

In U.S. men, stomach cancer is among the top 10 most common cancers in blacks, Asian-Americans, Hispanics and American Indians. It’s also among the most common cancers in Asian-American women.

Lower stomach cancer has been linked with diets high in salt and salt-preserved foods, and low in fresh fruits and vegetables; its incidence historically has been higher in Asia and other countries where this type of food preservation is more common.

But stomach cancer rates have been declining in many countries because of improved food preservation and better hygiene, which decreases risks for H. pylori infection, so the overall U.S. decline was expected, said Dr. Charles Rabkin of the National Cancer Institute, the study’s lead author.

However, the researchers noted that salt intake has increased among Americans of all ages, and said they will be investigating whether changes in eating habits explain the rise in young adults.

H. pylori prevalence might have increased in young adults, or there may be some other unknown bacteria that could play a role, although those theories remain unproven, Rabkin said.

I have had what looks like a pimple by my anal opening for a month or so. My friend said it sounded like anal cancer. What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
– An About.com reader

Symptoms of Anal Cancer

• lumps or bumps located near the anus
• anal bleeding or bleeding during bowel movements
• anal discharge
• pain in or around the anus
• itchy sensation around or inside the anus
• change in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea and the thinning of the stools

What to Do If You Have Anal Cancer Symptoms

_Sources:

“Can Anal Cancer Be Found Early?”. Detailed Guide: Anal Cancer. American Cancer Society. 25 April 2007. Accessed Hune 20, 2008.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_Is_Anal_Cancer_Diagnosed_47.asp?rnav=cri

“What is Anal Cancer?”. Detailed Guide: Anal Cancer. American Cancer Society. 25 April 2007. Accessed June 20, 2008.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_anal_cancer_47.asp?rnav=cri

It is important to note that some types of cancer do not present any symptoms until they are in advanced stages. This is why cancer screening and risk assessment are vital for cancer prevention and early detection.

A broad spectrum of non-specific cancer symptoms may include:

• Persistent Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptoms. It is usually more common when the cancer is advanced, but still occurs in the early stages of some cancers. Anemia is commonly the culprit — a condition that is associated with many types of cancer, especially types affecting the bowel. Fatigue is a symptom of both malignant and non-malignant conditions and should be evaluated by a physician.
• Unintentional Weight Loss: While it may be a welcome surprise to lose weight without trying, it can be a red flag for many illnesses, including cancer. Losing 10 pounds or more unintentionally definitely warrants a visit to the doctor. This type of weight loss can occur with or without loss of appetite. Remember, weight loss can be a symptom of cancer, but is also a symptom of many other illnesses, too.
• Pain Typically, pain is not an early symptom of cancer, except in some cancer types like those that spread to the bone. Pain generally occurs when cancer spreads and begins to affect other organs and nerves.

  Lower pack pain is cancer symptom that is associated with ovarian cancer and colon cancer. Shoulder pain can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Pain in the form of headaches can be associated with brain tumors (malignant and benign).

  Stomach pains can be related to types of cancer, like stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and many others. Stomach pain can be a very vague symptom because so many illnesses can cause stomach pain.

• Fever: A fever is a very non-specific symptom of many mild to severe conditions, including cancer. In relation to cancer, a fever that is persistent or one that comes and goes frequently can signal stress on the immune system. Fevers are commonly associated with types of cancer that affects the blood, like leukemia and lymphoma, but are also common in people whose cancer has spread.
• Bowel Changes: If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general overall change in bowel habits, see your doctor. These symptoms are most commonly associated with colon cancer, but are also related to other cancer types.
• Chronic Cough: A persistent, new cough or a cough that won’t go away or becomes worse needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Blood and/or mucus may accompany the cough and can be caused many conditions. In relation to cancer, a chronic cough with blood or mucus can be symptom of lung cancer.

Keep in mind that these are very general, vague symptoms of cancer. If you have one or two of these symptoms, it is not a red flag for cancer but more an indication to your doctor to run certain medical tests. The symptoms listed above are experienced by most people with cancer at various stages of their disease, but are also linked to many other non-cancerous conditions. For more specific cancer symptoms, see below for symptom information about several types of cancer. You may also get a better understanding of what your symptoms may mean by using the About.com Symptom Checker, an interactive health education tool. A broad spectrum of non-specific cancer symptoms may include:

• Persistent Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptoms. It is usually more common when the cancer is advanced, but still occurs in the early stages of some cancers. Anemia is commonly the culprit — a condition that is associated with many types of cancer, especially types affecting the bowel. Fatigue is a symptom of both malignant and non-malignant conditions and should be evaluated by a physician.
• Unintentional Weight Loss: While it may be a welcome surprise to lose weight without trying, it can be a red flag for many illnesses, including cancer. Losing 10 pounds or more unintentionally definitely warrants a visit to the doctor. This type of weight loss can occur with or without loss of appetite. Remember, weight loss can be a symptom of cancer, but is also a symptom of many other illnesses, too.
• Pain Typically, pain is not an early symptom of cancer, except in some cancer types like those that spread to the bone. Pain generally occurs when cancer spreads and begins to affect other organs and nerves.

  Lower pack pain is cancer symptom that is associated with ovarian cancer and colon cancer. Shoulder pain can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Pain in the form of headaches can be associated with brain tumors (malignant and benign).

  Stomach pains can be related to types of cancer, like stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and many others. Stomach pain can be a very vague symptom because so many illnesses can cause stomach pain.

• Fever: A fever is a very non-specific symptom of many mild to severe conditions, including cancer. In relation to cancer, a fever that is persistent or one that comes and goes frequently can signal stress on the immune system. Fevers are commonly associated with types of cancer that affects the blood, like leukemia and lymphoma, but are also common in people whose cancer has spread.
• Bowel Changes: If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general overall change in bowel habits, see your doctor. These symptoms are most commonly associated with colon cancer, but are also related to other cancer types.
• Chronic Cough: A persistent, new cough or a cough that won’t go away or becomes worse needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Blood and/or mucus may accompany the cough and can be caused many conditions. In relation to cancer, a chronic cough with blood or mucus can be symptom of lung cancer.

Keep in mind that these are very general, vague symptoms of cancer. If you have one or two of these symptoms, it is not a red flag for cancer but more an indication to your doctor to run certain medical tests. The symptoms listed above are experienced by most people with cancer at various stages of their disease, but are also linked to many other non-cancerous conditions. For more specific cancer symptoms, see below for symptom information about several types of cancer. You may also get a better understanding of what your symptoms may mean by using the About.com Symptom Checker, an interactive health education tool.

1 Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; 2 David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and 3 Chemical Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; 4 Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; 5 Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and 6 Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

There is currently no effective therapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. To address the need for a more effective treatment for this deadly disease, we conducted preclinical tests in ovarian tumor–bearing mice to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of using a cationic biodegradable poly(β-amino ester) polymer as a vector for nanoparticulate delivery of DNA encoding a diphtheria toxin suicide protein (DT-A). The promoter sequences of two genes that are highly active in ovarian tumor cells, MSLN and HE4, were used to target DT-A expression to tumor cells. Administration of DT-A nanoparticles directly to s.c. xenograft tumors and to the peritoneal cavity of mice bearing primary and metastatic ovarian tumors resulted in a significant reduction in tumor mass and a prolonged life span compared to control mice. Minimal nonspecific tissue and blood chemistry toxicity was observed following extended treatment with nanoparticles. DT-A nanoparticle therapy suppressed tumor growth more effectively than treatment with clinically relevant doses of cisplatin and paclitaxel. Our findings suggest that i.p. administration of polymeric nanoparticles to deliver DT-A encoding DNA, combined with transcriptional regulation to target gene expression to ovarian tumor cells, holds promise as an effective therapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment provides the surgeon, radiotherapist, medical oncologist, endocrinologist, epidemiologist, immunologist or cell biologist investigating problems in breast cancer a single forum for communication. The journal creates a `market place’ for breast cancer topics which cuts across all the usual lines of disciplines, providing a site for presenting pertinent investigations and for discussing critical questions relevant to the entire field. It seeks to develop a new focus and new perspectives for all those concerned with breast cancer.

Oncology is undoubtedly the most rapidly growing subspecialty in the field of medicine, and breast cancer is one of the most serious problems of oncology. It is the leading cause of death of women in many countries and is truly a multidisciplinary problem without geographic restrictions. Yet this very multidisciplinary aspect accounts for breast cancer literature appearing in any of the dozens of existing medical journals. None of these journals provides a focus on the unique problems of breast cancer. There has been no convenient arena for the discussion and resolution of ongoing controversies in breast cancer treatment, or for the consideration of thoughtful speculation and comments on current work. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment aims to fill this need.

Each issue contains several articles dealing with original laboratory investigations and articles dealing with clinical studies. There are sections devoted to invited review articles, pro and con discussions of controversial subjects, book reviews, meeting reports, and editorials. Panel discussions are presented which bring together experts to consider important topics. There is a section for letters to the editor, which provides for a lively exchange of opinions on previously published articles or other topics of interest. There is also an opportunity to publish the proceedings of special workshops, symposia, etc., devoted to breast cancer. All manuscripts are peer reviewed by a distinguished group of advisory editors from many countries covering all of the various disciplines of breast cancer.

Related subjects » Oncology & Hematology

History

In May 1997, the Prime Minister held a Downing Street Cancer Summit which led to the formation of the Cancer Research Funders Forum, bringing together the main government and charitable agencies that fund cancer research in the UK for the first time.s

Ian Gibson MP, a former cancer researcher from the University of East Anglia, called for the creation of a UK National Cancer Institute in November 1998, modelled on the National Cancer Institute in the USA. He used his influence as a member of the British House of Commons Science and Technology Committee to promote the idea and, in early 2000 the committee held an enquiry into the funding of cancer research in the UK which reported in July 2000, recommending “the creation of a new National Cancer Research Institute to set national research priorities and to co-ordinate and fund cancer research in the UK.”

Soon afterwards, in September 2000, the Department of Health published their first NHS Cancer Plan which announced that the Department would work with the Cancer Research Funders Forum to create a National Cancer Research Institute which would take a more proactive role in the strategic co-ordination of cancer research.

The NCRI was formally launched on 1 April 2001.

Activities

Current activities of the NCRI include:

• maintaining a database of cancer research in the UK, which forms part of the International Cancer Research Portfolio (a database of publicly-funded US and UK cancer research). The database is updated annually and analyses of the UK data are published every few years.
• organising the annual NCRI Cancer Conference, now established as the largest cancer research conference in the UK.
• developing a plan to network UK cancer registries and to encourage epidemiological research.
• setting up an initiative to revitalise UK radiotherapy research by networking and supporting individuals and groups, developing infrastructure and an integrated strategy.
• a strategic role in the development and oversight of the National Cancer Research Network to provide the infrastructure necessary to improve the speed, quality and integration of clinical trials in the UK.

The NCRI has also been responsible for:

• setting up a network of experimental cancer medicine centres to ensure that discoveries in basic science are translated into potential new cancer treatments as rapidly as possible.
• publishing reports on several key areas of cancer research, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, radiotherapy, palliative care and prevention, many of which have led onto the establishment of specific initiatives to fund aspects of research in these fields where a strategic gap was identified.
• establishing the NCRI Informatics Initiative, to develop a national bioinformatics platform and common set of tools for data handling, analysis and storage.
• establishing the National Cancer Intelligence Network

Strawberry, being one of the best source in cancer prevention fruit, contain kind of special acidic substances, that act as anti-toxic material and preventing cancer cells from being developed. Further, strawberry also has an enzyme that helps in preventing leukemia.

Citrus fruits class fruits( like orange, lemon, grapefruit ) , with its rich Vitamin C, helps in strengthening our body, skin, lung, intestinal, and liver . By transforming water-soluble toxic into fat soluble substances, it helps discharges those toxic substances out of our body, keep us healthy.

As well known, Vitamin C helps in strengthening our body immunity, researches indicated that for those who eat citrus class fruits in their daily dietary, has show positive reduction in cancer risk prevention of about 30% for , for pancreas cancer risk.  For those who often eat citrus class fruits, the possibilities of contracting mouth related deseases such as oral cavity, pharynx and larynx, stomach cancer, the risk level could be reduced as much as 50%  !

In recent laboratory researches, it is discover that Kiwi ( which Vitamin C content is often recognized as high as 4 to 12 times compare to orange, about 30 times more than apple. is apple 30 times, grape’s 60 times ),  contain active substance that help in preventing cancer. Also, according to researches, apricot is the one of the best fruit that contain highest level of Vitamin B17 content. This particular Vitamin is highly effective in anti cancer treatment, as it eliminates the cancer infected cells. There are even research reports showing that cancer patients whom undergo treatment with Vitamin B17, more than 90% are treated successfully. Till now, there has been whooping number of about 4000 terminally illed cancer patient’s being saved by using Vitamin B17 in their treatments.

Nevertheless, although it is well known that the positive effects of these fruits in fighting cancer is highly recommended, people still need to eat accordingly when consuming these fruits. Depending to individual dietary habits, some may develop allergy or body/organ disorder if not careful especially consuming the fruits in raw form. Example would be patients with kidney illness are not advisable to consume much of strawberry as the fruit contain higher level of calcium, which may aggregate the kidney illness or worsen the condition.

Like what we often said – An Apple a day keeps the doctor away. But well, just like everything else,  having too much of it could sometimes brings trouble too ! So, proper consumption is still advisable.

  form:http://nutridb.com/preventive-measures/cancer-preventions-with-fruits-in-daily-dietary/