One key approach, which is open to complementary techniques regarding nutrition, is modulation of the body's response to inflammation. Cancer growth and aggressiveness is tied to your body’s response to inflammation and includes the very popular current mainstream treatment approach of angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) inhibition by drugs (e.g. Avastin ®).
Cancer is considered a “pro-inflammatory” condition, and is controlled by prostaglandins, also known as inflammatory “eicosanoids,” which are hormone-like compounds synthesized by your body. This is the basis for cyclooxygenase inhibitor (reducing COX-2 enzyme activity) therapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen) as well as more specific drugs (e.g., celecoxib). Yes, it is true that these COX-2 inhibitors were banned a few years ago for increased risk of stroke and heart attack at prescription doses. Read on, though, because there may be effective nutritional approaches that can be used to achieve a very similar effect but in a much safer way.
The relationship among inflammation, prostaglandins (especially a special one called "PGE2") and cancer has been known for more than 30 years. The problem is that the inflammatory cascade is very complex and can be affected in many ways. Meanwhile, higher doses of prescription celecoxib and related drugs, are known to be dangerous. So, where might there be an opportunity for exploiting this anticancer therapy some other way? First, a quick review of the research in ovarian and related cancers.
Breast and Ovarian Cancer
In most, but not all studies, chronic users of NSAIDs have a 40 to 50% reduced risk of getting breast cancer. This is true of epidemiologic studies as well as laboratory research. Unfortunately, clinical trials in humans have not proven this yet. On the other hand, we know that the doses required for an anticancer effect (e.g. celecoxib at 1,500mg/kg/day) are very high and risky compared to the 200mg total daily dose required to treat something like arthritis pain.
There is also a relationship between increased COX-2 enzyme activity and increased estrogen levels. Increases in both COX-2 and estrogen can feed some cancers, including ovarian.
Another interesting relationship exists between abnormal HER-2/neu gene changes, which occur in ovarian and breast cancer, and increased COX-2. Those patients who have a higher level of this gene expressed have more aggressive cancer.
What Causes COX-2 Enzyme Level Elevation?
Certain oncogenes (genes which allow cancer to occur) cause COX-2 enzyme levels to increase. In addition, lower oxygen levels near the tumor and certain immune factors and reactions also cause it to go up.
Increased COX-2 enzyme leads to more prostaglandin (PGE2), which in causes COX-2 to go up even further. This is a vicious cycle, which can also stimulate cancer growth.
What Exactly Does Increased COX-2 Cause?
In a nutshell, COX-2 enzyme elevation causes the following: (1) faster cancer cell growth; (2) decreased programmed cell death (apoptosis); (3) increased tumor blood vessel formation (angiogenesis); (4) increased cancer invasion and metastasis; (5) immunosuppression, including reduced function of natural killer cells.
Major Influence of Diet
Prostaglandin eicosanoids come from fatty acids and other components of cell membranes. The types of fatty acid in your cells are directly related to your diet and there are multiple ways pro-inflammatory PGE2 formed from these.
Arachidonic acid (AA) is a fatty acid derived from meat, dairy and eggs or can be synthesized from omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetables, many nuts and soybean oil heavy fast foods in general. The PGE2 prostaglandins formed are intensely pro-inflammatory. Thus an imbalance in your diet toward more omega-6 fatty acids vs. omega-3 can be harmful.
On the other hand, the prostaglandins that are derived from another vegetable oil–derived fatty acid, DLGA or Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, are the anti-inflammatory PGE1 type. Also, Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in oily fish. The COX-2 enzymes metabolize this fatty acid and produce the anti-inflammatory PGE3 type of prostaglandins.Finally, another omega-3 fatty acid is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both can be found in walnuts and flaxseeds.
So, instead of a risky prescription drug approach, many of the same cancer-fighting needs can be filled by balancing your diet with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids vs. the very common and pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids found in the average American diet today.
