DocWire News Editors

DocwireNews

A recent review presented by Christy S. Harris, PharmD, BCOP, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, MCPHS-Boston, at the 2019 HOPA Annual Conference, presented available data and resources to evaluate potential adverse interactions that complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) may pose to the health of cancer patients and to assess these therapies&rsquo; impact on a clinical trial drug.Generally, CAM has had a negative impact on survival rates among cancer patients, increasing mortality risk in breast cancer (by six-fold), lung cancer (by two-fold), and colorectal cancer (by four and a half fold) patients. Also, patients who are most likely to use alternative medicine to treat their cancers tend to be patients with:<ul>
<li>Breast or lung cancer</li>
<li>Higher income</li>
<li>Reside in the Intermountain West or Pacific United States</li>
<li>Have stage II or III Cancer</li>
<li>Possess low comorbidity scores</li>
</ul>A recent survey of 4,038 adults, 1,001 of whom had a previous or current cancer diagnosis, showed that almost half (47%) of respondents aged 18 to 37 believe that alternative therapies alone can cure cancer. Those numbers do not correspond with the less than 5% of adult cancer patients enrolling in clinical trials, and the researcher notes that &ldquo;adolescent and young adults have the lowest rate of enrollment on clinical trials.&rdquo;Evidence from previous in vitro and animal studies suggest that one such CAM, known as Turmeric (curcumin), can reduce the CYPA1A enzyme, primarily in the liver. However, this drug may also induce the same enzyme in the intestines. Turmeric can also have adverse interactions with such medications as anticoagulants (increasing the risk of bleeding), and Aspirin (elevating cytotoxic levels).Another alternative medication used for cancer treatment are cannabis and its derivatives, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, cannabis drug interactions are still &ldquo;largely questionable&rdquo; due to variability (topical vs. ingested vs. inhaled), and 70% of online CBD products possess either a higher or lower concentration than indicated on their labels.Ultimately, the Dr. Harris concluded by writing that &ldquo;making the judgement call&rdquo; with respect to CAMs should come down to discussions between the clinician, patient, and sponsor, as well as an assessment of the medication&rsquo;s clinical trial results, the clinical significance of those results, and any adverse effects associated with the alternative medication.

Bradley Marder, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Gout Studies: Transplant Waitlisting and Bone Erosion

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Jayme Locke, MD, MPH

The Promise of Xenotransplantation

Leah Lawrence

Real-World Data Backs Invasive DFS as Surrogate Endpoint for OS in EBC

HR Breast Cancer

Latest News

Complementary & Alternative Therapy Use in Clinical Trials

2019 HOPA Annual Conference

A recent review presented by Christy S. Harris, PharmD, BCOP, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, MCPHS-Boston, at the 2019 HOPA Annual Conference

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe