The following five abstracts were chosen as the best studies presented at the 12th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) because of their quality and the impact they will have on the field of integrative medicine, according to Suzanna Zick, ND, MPH, Immediate Past President of SIO and Associate Research Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. “We think these five studies will change how integrative oncology moves forward in the future,” said Dr. Zick.
Seeking Consensus in Patient Outcomes
Polley M, Frenkel M, Balneaves, et al: Developing guidelines for the collection of patient outcomes data in clinical integrative oncology settings. SIO 12th International Conference. Abstract 60. Presented November 15, 2015.
This international project was developed to seek a consensus in patient outcomes to overcome barriers to efficient data collection. The researchers found that the challenges to data collection include lack of knowledge about which patient outcomes and outcome measures to use; how to analyze data; and lack of resources. They concluded that an international appetite exists for guidelines on efficiently capturing standardized patient outcomes data for integrative oncology practices and plan to draft guidelines for patient outcomes data collection in clinical integrative oncology settings.
Role of Sugar in Cancer Development
Jiang Y, Pan Y, Rhea PR, et al: Dietary sugar induces tumorigenesis in mammary gland partially through 12- lipoxygenase pathway. SIO 12th International Conference. Abstract 67. Presented November 15, 2015.
This laboratory study investigated the effect of a sucrose-enriched diet in the development of primary and metastatic breast cancer and a relevant molecular mechanism focusing on the 12-lipoxygenase pathway, which is known to be involved in inflammation and cancers. The researchers found evidence showing that added sugar in the diet accelerates the development of breast cancer partially through modulating inflammatory pathways, especially in upregulation of 12-lipoxygenase protein and in the production of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid within tumor tissue.
Electroacupuncture to Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy
Greenlee H, Awad D, Crew KD, et al: Randomized sham controlled pilot trial of weekly electroacupuncture for the prevention of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. SIO 12th International Conference. Abstract 74. Presented November 15, 2015.
This randomized study included 63 women with stage I to III breast cancer undergoing 12 weekly taxane treatments. The women were randomly assigned to receive electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Forty-six of the patients completed the protocol. The study failed to find a significant difference in pain or neuropathy between the two groups at 12 weeks. However, the researchers noted that the patients on electroacupuncture had a slower recovery after they completed their taxane treatment than the women in the sham electroacupuncture arm of the study. They concluded that future studies should focus on electroacupuncture as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy rather than as a preventive strategy for the condition.
Less Invasive Treatment for Anal Lesions
Cohen M, Wilson C, Berry M, et al: Topical Chinese herbal AIJP ointment to treat anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in HIV-positive persons. SIO 12th International Conference. Abstract 82. Presented November 15, 2015.
This phase II randomized trial compared a Chinese herbal cream known as AIJP (Arnebia Indigo Jade Pearl) to placebo in 70 HIV-positive men and women with anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, a precursor of anal cancer. The researchers found that the AIJP ointment appeared to be more effective than placebo and may successfully treat or reduce anal squamous intraepithelial lesions, allowing for less extensive ablative procedures.
Mind-Body Strategies to Help Prevent Recurrence
Garland EL, Beck A, Hansen P, et al: Integrated mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement and physical health intervention for obese cancer survivors: Preliminary results from a pilot randomized controlled trial. SIO 12th International Conference. Abstract 133. Presented November 15, 2015.
The researchers recruited 17 obese (mean body mass index of 35.8) female patients with breast, colon, and endometrial cancers to investigate the efficacy of an integrated exercise and nutrition program with a mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement (MORE) intervention, which uses techniques to enhance interoceptive awareness and cognitive control over automatic, compulsive eating behavior to control weight. The women were randomly assigned to receive an exercise and nutrition intervention alone or an exercise and nutrition intervention with MORE. The researchers found that integrating MORE with an exercise and nutrition training program appeared to enhance weight loss in these patients. They concluded that mindfulness training may strengthen cognitive control over appetitive and motivational reactions crucial to weight loss, promoting greater health in cancer survivors. ■
