Clinically-relevant chemotherapy interactions with complementary and alternative medicines in patients with cancer

Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture
Kevin Yi-Lwern YapAlexandre Chan

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), in particular herbal medicines, are commonly used by cancer patients in conjunction with chemotherapy treatment for their anticancer properties and supportive care. However, the effects of many of these herbs are not well-documented due to limited studies done on them. Severe herb-drug interactions (HDIs) have been recorded in some cases, and failure to recognize these harmful HDIs can lead to dire consequences in cancer patients. This study discusses clinically-relevant interactions between anticancer drugs (ACDs) and herbs classified into 7 categories: cancer treatment and prevention, immune-system-related, alopecia, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuropathy and pain, inflammation, and fatigue. Some promising patents which contain these herbs and thus may manifest these interactions are also presented in this article. Pharmacokinetic interactions involved mainly induction or inhibition of the cytochrome P450 isozymes and p-glycoprotein, while pharmacodynamic interactions were related to increased risks of central nervous system-related effects, hepatotoxicity and bleeding, among others. Clinicians should be vigilant when treating cancer patients who take CAMs with concurrent ch...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 28, 2010·Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology·Teresa W TamBrian C Foster
Nov 10, 2011·Journal of Clinical Nursing·Chih-Fen Ku, Malcolm Koo
Feb 17, 2017·Pediatric Blood & Cancer·T E BalkF K Engels
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Dec 20, 2012·Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics·Miao HuBrian Tomlinson
Dec 12, 2018·World Journal of Hepatology·Sheng-Yan Xi, Gerald Yosel Minuk

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