Chinese Medicine and Biomodulation in Cancer Patients—Part Two

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a whole system containing therapeutic interventions that individually induce biomodulation at the physiologic, chemical, and molecular levels. The theory of TCM proposes a synergy between specific interventions selected as part of a care plan based on TCM diagnostic theory. Combining TCM with the modern practice of oncology seems, in conjunction with biomedical interventions (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and pharmaceuticals), to have potential advantages through the synergy of biomodulation. Biomodulation approaches are broadly categorized as modification of tumour response and reduction of adverse effects; modulation of immunity; prevention of cancer progression; and enhancement of symptom control. Although the database of preclinical studies is rapidly expanding, good-quality clinical trials are notably scarce.Laboratory studies suggest that some herbs increase the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy without increasing toxicity. A healthy immune system is necessary for control of malignant disease, and the immune suppression associated with cancer contributes to its progression. Many Chinese herbs contain glycoproteins and polysaccharides (among them, constituents of Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, and various other medicinal mushrooms) that can modulate metastatic potential and the innate immune system. Phytochemicals such as specific polysaccharides have been shown to boost the innate immune system, especially through interaction with Tolllike receptors in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. This intervention can potentially improve the effectiveness of new anticancer vaccines. An increase in virusassociated cancers presents a major public health problem that requires novel therapeutic strategies. A number of herbal therapies have both antiviral activity and the ability to promote immunity, possibly inhibiting the initiation and promotion of virus-associated cancers.The mechanisms learned from basic science should be applied to clinical trials both of specific interventions and of whole-system care plans that safely combine the TCM approach with the conventional biomedical model. In Western medicine, the combination of TCM herbs with drug therapies is controversial, given lack of knowledge concerning whether a drug is favourably enhanced or whether adverse effects occur. Using initial data from the preclinical studies, future clinical research needs to evaluate the combinations, some of which are showing favourable synergy.

The Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre: A Model of Integrative Practice

“…The literature review also provided scientific evidence of the multiple therapeutic benefits associated with diverse mind-body, bioenergetic, body-manipulative, and biologically based healing practices 10,11,43,70,94,95 . Although the research studies are of varying methodologic rigour, and future work to establish dose, frequency, and duration of treatment effects is needed, consensus concerning the relevance of those techniques in mainstream practice is converging.…”

“…Typically, that treatment involves standard chemotherapies, surgical and radiation oncology procedures, biomarker-driven treatment, and healing therapies. Healing therapies are selected from mind-body, manipulative, and body-, energy-, and biologically-based practices 41,62,70,86,94,95 . An integrative approach applies evidenced-based, multimodal, multi-targeted therapies with synergistic effects to intended targets.…”

Research and Regulatory Issues for Integrative Oncology

“…The remedies used in homeopathy are controversial, but some merit may lie in the therapeutic relationship and the non-specific effects of the homeopathic system 4 . Chinese medicine has been particularly fruitful 5,6 . One of the components of Chinese medicine is acupuncture, which has already been shown to be a useful modality for symptom control.…”

“…In preclinical studies, researchers found that the PHY906 combination of Chinese herbs enhances the antitumour activity of conventional chemotherapy with capecitabine, irinotecan, or 5-fluorouracil, by enhancing the cytotoxic effects of those agents. Phytoceutica is currently conducting phase I and II studies in colorectal, hepatocellular, and pancreatic cancers 5,6 .…”

Can the Therapeutic Gain of Radiotherapy Be Increased by Concurrent Administration of Asian Botanicals?

“…7 New evidence suggests that radiation may expose tumor antigen and, together with immune-enhancing adjuvants, can function as a vaccine. Many Asian herbs display immune-enhancing activities 8 and could result in both a beneficial local effect as well as an abscopal effect when combined with radiotherapy. 9 Unfortunately, our methodology for evaluating therapeutic gain in humans with cancer is limited, but new functional imaging techniques using SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) and PET nuclear medicine scans or nuclear magnetic resonance are promising.…”