Search Results: “Cancer” & “Nutrients”
2023.06.14EnglishCurrent Status and Challenges of Ketogenic Diet Therapy for Cancer
Professor Keisuke Hagihara
Interview Date: September 8, 2020
Keywords: Nutrition, Cancer, Ketone, Frailty, Sarcopenia
The ketogenic diet, a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, has long been used in the treatment of refractory epilepsy patients. In recent years, the efficacy of ketogenic diet therapy in advanced cancer patients has garnered attention, with multiple reports published overseas.
In Japan, clinical trials led by a consortium centered around the Advanced Integrated Medicine Joint Research Course at the Osaka University are underway, and the results were published on May 19, 2020, in the online rapid release version of the international scientific journal Nutrients. We interviewed Professor Keisuke Hagihara, a specially appointed professor (full-time) at the Osaka University, who led these clinical trials, to discuss the current status and challenges of ketogenic diet therapy for Cancer.
Utilization of Ketogenic Diet Therapy and Its Application to Cancer Treatment
Efforts at Osaka University
Evaluation of Regimens for Cancer Ketogenic Diet
Assessment of the Utility of Ketogenic Diet for Cancer Patients
Towards Understanding the Mechanisms of Action
Future Perspectives and Challenges
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What is immunotherapy ?
Part 3: Food Components and Scientific Evidence – Illustrating with Beta Glucan as an Example
Professor Ko Okumura
Keywords: Nutrition, Cancer
For the final installment, we had the privilege of receiving insights from Professor Ko Okumura , Juntendo University, a leading expert in immunology, who explained the relationship between “immunity” and food components.
Food Components and Scientific Evidence
What is Beta glucan?
Beta Glucan derived from shiitake mushrooms
Is eating a lot of mushrooms alone insufficient?
Ultrafine particle formation of β-glucan
Other food components and NK cell activity
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What is immunotherapy ?
Part 2: Cancer and Immunity
Professor Ko Okumura
Keywords: Cancer
As the world experiences unprecedented rates of population aging, Japan continues to see an increase in the number of people affected by cancer and those succumbing to it. While advancements in medical technology have led to more cases being successfully treated, cancer remains one of the top concerns regarding physical health.
In this installment, we had the privilege of receiving insights from Professor Ko Okumura, Juntendo University, a leading expert in immunology, who focused on explaining the relationship between cancer and immunity.
What is ‘cancer’ in the first place?
Mechanisms for eliminating defective products
‘NK activity’ as an indicator of the vitality of ‘NK cells’
How to maintain youthful ‘NK activity’?
Food components and cancer prevention
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What is immunotherapy ?
Part 1: What is the Immune System?
Professor Ko Okumura
Keywords: Cancer
As the world experiences unprecedented rates of population aging, Japan continues to see an increase in the number of people affected by cancer and those succumbing to it. While advancements in medical technology have led to more cases being curable with early intervention, cancer remains one of the top concerns regarding health.
In this first installment, we interviewed Professor Ko Okumura, Juntendo University, a leading expert in immunology, to explain the mechanism of “immunity” deeply intertwined with cancer.
What is the immune system?
Types and functions of white blood cells
Foreign substances in the body
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Utilization of Kampo in Frailty and Cancer Treatment
– Part 2 –
Dr. Hidetoshi Itakura
Director of Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Kanagawa Cancer Center
Keywords: Frailty, Sarcopenia, Kampo, Cancer
The prognosis of cancer patients has dramatically improved with the emergence of various anticancer agents. However, there are still many challenges remaining in terms of patient quality of life (QOL), and in recent years, Kampo has been gaining attention as one of the supportive therapies aimed at maintaining and improving QOL.
In this second part, we interviewed Dr. Hidetoshi Itakura (Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at Kanagawa Cancer Center) about the utilization of Kampo in frailty and cancer treatment, as well as the evidence supporting it.
Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer
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Utilization of Kampo in Frailty and Cancer Treatment
– Part 1 –
Dr. Hidetoshi Itakura
Director of Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Kanagawa Cancer Center
Keywords: Frailty, Sarcopenia, Kampo, Cancer
The prognosis for cancer patients has seen remarkable improvement with the emergence of various anticancer agents. However, many challenges remain in terms of patients’ quality of life (QOL), and in recent years, Kampo medicine has garnered attention as one of the supportive therapies aimed at maintaining and improving QOL.
In this installment, we interviewed Dr. Hidetoshi Itakura, Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at the Kanagawa Cancer Center, to discuss an overview of the activities of the Kampo Support Center and the results of interventions by the Kampo support team.
Overview of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Support Center
Verification of Intervention Effects by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Support Team
Philosophy Underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Report on the 38th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
Committee Report: Publication of “the Metabolic and Nutritional Management Guidelines for Cancer Patients” and Future Prospects
Keywords: Nutrition, Cancer
Chairpersons:
Dr. Joji Kotani (Division of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine)
Dr. Naoki Higashibeppu (Anesthesia and Critical care department, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital)
Summary of Presentations
The “Metabolic and Nutritional Management Guidelines for Cancer Patients” is the Japan Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism’s first international standard clinical practice guideline created following the GRADE system, the international standard for guideline development. Dr. Joji Kotani from the Division of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery Related, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, who chaired the committee that produced these guidelines, stated the purpose of this session was to explain the rationale, methodology, and correct usage.
Dr. Naoki Higashibeppu from the Cancer Nutrition Therapy Guidelines Working Group explained the process of selecting clinical questions (CQ), and Dr. Yu Uneno from the Department of Oncology, Kyoto University Hospital, introduced the systematic review and recommendation creation methods. Subsequently, each committee member of the working group provided detailed explanations of their respective sections.
Additionally, the characteristics of these guidelines include the inclusion of narrative information to complement patient-specific narratives often overlooked in evidence-based medicine, and an explanation from the responsible parties regarding the involvement of cancer survivor citizens, incorporating perspectives of cancer patients.
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Report on the 38th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
Joint Symposium 7: Prospects of Multidisciplinary Intervention including Nutritional Therapy in Cancer Cachexia
Keywords: Nutrition, Cancer
Chairpersons:
Dr. Tateaki Naito (Respiratory Medicine, Shizuoka Prefectural Shizuoka Cancer Center)
Dr. Naoharu Mori (Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Palliative and Supportive Care Medicine)
Summary of Presentations
Evolution of the Concept and Diagnosis of Cancer Cachexia and Multidisciplinary Care in Japan
Dr. Naoharu Mori from the Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Palliative and Supportive Care Medicine, explained the evolution of cachexia definitions, stages, and diagnostic criteria, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary team-based care in the diagnosis and treatment of cachexia. He also highlighted the need for further awareness of cachexia.
Practice of Pharmacotherapy for Cancer Cachexia in Outpatient Chemotherapy Patients: Proper Use of Anamorelin by a Team Approach
Ph.D. Hironori Fujii from the Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University Hospital, illustrated the inadequate provision of cachexia treatment before the approval of Anamorelin. He introduced the improvement in patients’ quality of life through interdisciplinary monitoring and timely proposal of Anamorelin prescription.
Clinical Research and Future Prospects of Anamorelin
Dr. Tateaki Naito from the Respiratory Medicine department of Shizuoka Prefectural Shizuoka Cancer Center pointed out the effect of Anamorelin in increasing fat-free body weight but the absence of data regarding functional improvement. He suggested combining nutritional therapy and exercise therapy alongside Anamorelin prescription for comprehensive improvement, including functionality.
Multidisciplinary Early Intervention Focused on Cancer Cachexia Risk: Considerations from the Perspective of a Dietician
RD. Toshimi Inano from the Nutrition Department of Shizuoka Prefectural Shizuoka Cancer Center demonstrated that patients who underwent multidisciplinary assessment and intervention combining nutritional and exercise therapies maintained energy intake and step count.
Assessment Scales for Distress Related to Quality of Life (QOL) and Nutrition in Cancer Cachexia Patients
Dr. Koji Amano from the Palliative Care Medicine department of the National Cancer Center Hospital highlighted the development of the “Survey on Distress Regarding Food in Patients with Advanced Cancer,” specialized in evaluating the food-related distress that is challenging to assess using existing quality of life scales. He advocated for its clinical utilization.
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Report on the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Surgical Society
Panel Discussion 8: Current Status and Countermeasures for Postoperative Malnutrition and Sarcopenia
Keywords: Frailty, Sarcopenia, Nutrition, Cancer
Moderators:
Dr. Michio Maruyama (Surgery, Ryokushukai Tanashi Hospital)
Dr. Naohiro Washizawa (Nutrition Therapy Center, Toho University Medical Center Omori Hospital)
Summary of Presentations:
Nutritional Management in Long-term Enterostomy After Esophagectomy to Prevent Sarcopenia
Dr. Takashi Kato from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Kobe University, highlighted the poor prognosis associated with sarcopenia in esophageal cancer patients and reported the usefulness of long-term enteral nutrition via intestinal fistula for sarcopenia prevention.
Significance of Home Night-Time Enteral Nutrition Therapy as a New Strategy for Nutrition and Sarcopenia Prevention after Total Gastrectomy
Dr. Tomoki Konishi from the Department of Surgery, Kyoto First Red Cross Hospital, demonstrated that post-gastrectomy malnutrition and weight loss lead to long-term deterioration and introduced the prevention of nocturnal hypoglycemia, not only malnutrition, through home nocturnal enteral nutrition from a fistula.
Current Status and Strategies for Nutrition and Sarcopenia after Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Utility of Postoperative Enteral Nutrition
Dr. Chie Kitami from the Department of Surgery, Health Insurance Nagaoka Chuo Comprehensive Hospital, pointed out that pancreatic cancer tends to cause malnutrition and that malnutrition is a significant factor in poor prognosis. Furthermore, she stated that enteral nutrition from a fistula improves nutritional status and is useful in controlling weight loss.
Relationship between Cancer-Related Fatigue during Anticancer Agent Administration and Carnitine Blood Levels in Pancreatic and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients
Dr. Takahiro Einama from the Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, examined the relationship between fatigue affecting chemotherapy and blood carnitine levels in patients with pancreatic and biliary tract cancer. While there was a tendency for fatigue to worsen as blood carnitine levels decreased, no significant difference was observed.
Significance of Long-term Malnutrition and Sarcopenia After Lung Cancer Surgery on Prognosis
Dr. Yuki Yamada from the First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, presented the results of a study investigating the relationship between postoperative nutritional status and changes in skeletal muscle mass and long-term prognosis in patients with early-stage lung cancer. He concluded that changes in nutritional status and skeletal muscle mass are prognostic factors.
Evolution of Perioperative and Remote Nutritional Indices and Their Association with Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Total Arch Replacement Surgery
Dr. Jiro Sakai from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto University Hospital, reported that nutritional disorders in patients undergoing total arch replacement surgery are associated with poor prognosis and introduced the multidisciplinary nutritional assessment that led to a reduction in postoperative hospitalization days.
Following each presenter’s presentation, a discussion was held, and lively debates ensued. The summary of these discussions is also included in the report.
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