Dietary supplements and natural products in breast cancer trials.
The association between breast cancer and modifiable health behaviors is well supported. At least one-half of all cancers are suggested to have a dietary component. It is not surprising therefore that many of the dietary agents and natural health products that have attracted the attentions of scientists and practitioners are now moving into clinical trials. In this report, we review 65 clinical intervention trials evaluating over 30 dietary supplements and natural health products for use in breast cancer. The products being tested in these trials fall broadly into the following categories: (i) vitamins, minerals, cofactors; (ii) herbal extracts; (iii) amino acids; (iv) fatty acids; (v) animal products; (vi) probiotics; (vii) phytochemicals; and (viii) combination formulations. Trial outcome measures include risk modification, efficacy testing (with dietary supplements alone or dietary supplement-anticancer drug combinations), toxicity reduction, biomarker identification, symptom management, and quality of life parameters. The wide range of interests in natural product testing at the clinical trial level supports the potential utility of these agents in the breast cancer prevention, treatment, and management regimens of the future.
Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Karl
K
Kado
Andrew
A
Forsyth
Priyesh Ramesh
PR
Patel
Janice Ann
JA
Schwartz
D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans
D001688:Biological Products