Integrative Cancer Therapies最新文献

Ovarian cancer, a frequently occurring gynecological malignancy with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate below 45%, often progresses due to metastatic colonization. This review highlights the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers as anticancer agents that inhibit the metastatic colonization of ovarian cancer cells. TCM monomers exhibit various mechanisms of action, including (1) inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation by modulating cell adhesion molecules; (2) reducing extracellular matrix damage through inhibition of degrading enzymes; (3) affecting cytoskeletal dynamics to alter cell movement; and (4) preventing angiogenesis by downregulating angiogenic factors. Additionally, TCM monomers can reshape the tumor microenvironment, enhance immune responses, and induce oxidative stress, resulting in reduced proliferation and survival of cancer cells. The comprehensive action of TCM monomers makes them promising candidates for individualized, multi-target therapies in drug-resistant cases. This paper reviews the current research on the mechanisms through which TCM monomers combat metastatic colonization, aiming to provide insights for future studies and clinical applications in ovarian cancer treatment, ultimately offering hope to affected patients.

Background: This trial evaluated the efficacy of melatonin versus placebo in alleviating radiotherapy-induced fatigue, anxiety, and depression in breast cancer patients.

Methods and materials: This randomized, triple-blind, parallel-group, single-center clinical trial was conducted in the radiation oncology department of Namazi Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Eligible breast cancer patients scheduled for adjuvant radiotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg oral melatonin daily or a placebo. All participants underwent conventional radiotherapy (50 Gy total, delivered as 2 Gy per day). Patients in the melatonin group received the intervention starting on the first day of radiotherapy and continuing until treatment completion. Assessments were performed at baseline and 1 week after the intervention using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and Beck's Depression and Anxiety checklists. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 with a significance level set at P < .05.

Results: Both groups (n = 50 each) had comparable baseline characteristics. Baseline MFI fatigue (P = .06), Beck Anxiety Inventory (P = .5), and Beck Depression Inventory (P = .9) scores showed no significant differences between groups. Post-intervention, the melatonin group had significantly lower scores than the placebo group (Mann-Whitney U test, P < .001 for all): MFI fatigue (median: 42.5 vs 55), Beck Anxiety Inventory (median: 28.5 vs 38), and Beck Depression Inventory (median: 29 vs 38). In the placebo group, changes were minimal: MFI fatigue scores were nearly unchanged (median: 56 vs 55), with no significant differences in Beck Anxiety Inventory (median: 38 vs 38, P = .08) or Beck Depression Inventory scores (median: 38 vs 38, P = .3). Within the melatonin group, the Friedman test showed significant reductions from baseline to post-intervention in MFI fatigue (median: 61-42.5), Beck Anxiety Inventory (median: 38-28.5), and Beck Depression Inventory scores (median: 38.5-29; P < .001 for all).

Conclusion: Melatonin administration during radiotherapy significantly alleviated fatigue, anxiety, and depression in breast cancer patients.

Objective: Effective, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management for people with advanced cancer that can enhance quality of life while minimizing adverse effects are urgently needed. While music therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain-related outcomes across various patient populations, it has not been specifically examined in addressing chronic pain among people with advanced cancer. This study aims to enhance understanding of how people with advanced cancer experience music therapy for pain management.

Methods: As part of a mixed methods intervention trial, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 25 outpatients with advanced cancer (Stage 3 & 4) and chronic pain who had participated in 6 music therapy sessions designed to address psychosocial factors known to exacerbate the experience of chronic pain. We analyzed the interview transcripts using theoretical thematic analysis.

Results: The findings suggest that engagement in music therapy enhanced psychosocial well-being, contributed to better pain management, and helped build early therapeutic rapport. Participants emphasized that co-creating and engaging in active music making enhanced their self-efficacy as they learned to use music to improve emotional regulation skills, increase physical functioning, relax, and decrease their medication use.

Conclusion: Music therapy's role in pain management goes beyond distraction and relaxation to include stress reduction, emotional expression, enhanced self-efficacy, and therapeutic connection and support through shared musical experiences. Incorporating board-certified music therapists into psycho-oncology care teams can help enable patients to effectively harness music as a daily tool for symptom management.