Abstract
This issue ranges in subject matter from the mind–body level to the molecular, certainly typical of integrative oncology as a whole. We begin with a commentary on the phytochemical quercetin by Salvatore Chirombolo. Like so many other phytochemicals, it is impressively multitargeted, apparently with a special role in the induction of apoptosis.
Our first 2 research articles are studies of yoga for cancer patients. Suzanne Slocum-Giri and colleagues examined the feasibility of a large-scale research program in yoga with cancer patients through qualitative study, identifying both interest in and barriers to such study. Nicole Culos-Reed and colleagues also report a feasibility study, this one based on a pilot trial in prostate cancer patients. This trial had an interest feature in that patients were invited to include a support person in the class. Both studies point the way toward further research on yoga as a viable intervention.
Continuing on the theme of feasibility studies, Leanna Standish and colleagues present preliminary feasibility data for a prospective cohort study with a matched control population. This study, now in progress, aims to examine the impact of integrative oncology on the relapse rate and quality of life of cancer patients. Existing integrative oncology clinics will be the main study sites.
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is a mixture of tonic or adaptogenic herbs often used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cancer. An observational study by Chen-Jei Tai and colleagues examines the effect of this remedy on hematotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, with promising results.
We often assume synergism between multiple natural compounds in targeting cancer: it is not, however, so frequently demonstrated in studies. Daniel Sliva and colleagues do demonstrate this with multiple natural compounds in metastatic cancer cells. Likewise, Ching-Hua Su and colleagues demonstrate synergism between a conventional antifungal compound and a fungal extract from traditional Chinese medicine in promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. Zhi-Yun Cao and colleagues show that effects of low-dose 5-fluorouracil can be increased by combining it with a Chinese herbal combination from the Fu Zheng tradition, used for increasing vital energy and resistance.
In the last of our articles, the ability of Lactobacillus to reduce gastric cancer is explored by Ik Soon Jang and colleagues. While we usually think of Lactobacillus as an aid to digestion, these authors demonstrate its promotion of apoptosis through inhibition of NF-kappaB and mTOR.
Finally, we would like to publicly thank all of our colleagues who worked with us on reviewing articles for ICT during 2012: Fatma Afifi, Claudio Aguilar, Rehana Ahmed, Pamela Aidelsburger, Gautam Ajay, O. Al-Bataineh, Faris Alenzi, Ayman Al-Hendy, Jean Alvarez, K. M. Ansari, Rajesh Arora, Muhammed Aslam, Tao Bai, M. Baliga, Gabriela Balogh, Josep Bassaganya-Riera, Susan Beck, Eran Ben Arye, Franco Berrino, Deepak Bhatia, Felicity Bishop, Biswa Biswal, Leon Bonamin, Justin Brown, Terence Bugno, Randy Burd, Debra Burns, Guruvay-oorappan Chandrasekharan, Xiaoxin Chen, Beata Chertok, Salvatore Chirumbolo, Kyung-Eun Choi, Won-Cheol Choi, Moses Chow, Chief Chun-Ru, B. Cohen, Kenneth Conklin, Melinda Craike, Scott Crist, Nicole Culos-Reed, Yue Dai, Michael Danilenko, Cindy Davis, Paul Dempster, S. Eaton, Guido Eibl, M. A. El-Missiry, John Erdman, Shankar Esakimuthu, Joseph Espat, Khadra Galaal, Sheila Garland, C. Guethlin, Anthony Hackney, Suzanne Hanser, Susan Harris, O. Heese, Caroline Hoffman, Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr, Lifei Hou, Shihtzu Huang, Cheryl Hurst, Maki Inoue-Choi, Judith Jacobson, S. H. Jafri, Shamini Jain, Michelle Janelsins, Anke Jaudszus, M. Kanai, Maria Kangas, Tajdar Khan, Kevin Kip, Anbarasi Kothandapani, Brian Lawenda, Richard Lee, Ruth Lerman, Jie Li, Yan Li, Marjaana Lindeman, Trish Livingston, Weidong Lu, A. P. Majumdar, Patrick Mansky, J. McClay, Michael McCulloch, Meghan McDonough, Tom McLean, Steven Melnick, Zhi-Qing Meng, Sung-Kwon Moon, Gary Morrow, Robert Musiol, Jamie Myers, Mark Myers, Farah Naja, Abul Najmi, Yukie Niwa, Oluwadamilola Olaku, Angel Ortega, Dave Paskevich, M. M. Paulides, P. Pratheeshkumar, J. B. Qu, Sarah Rausch, Mary Ann Richardson, David Rosenthal, Julie Ryan, Stephen Sagar, Tapas Saha, Maria Sánchez-Aragó, Michael Schultz, Rakesh Sharma, Mayada Shehadeh, M. C. Shoshan, Victor Sierpina Fuschia Sirois, Rebecca Speck, A. E. Speed-Andrews, Lisa Sprod, Shaida Sulaiman, Yingmeei Tan, Ann Taylor, Yao Tong, April K. Toupin, Jen-Chen Tsai, R. Tundis, Cobi van der Zee, Abdul Waheed, A. Wanchai, Chin-Kun Wang, Xijun Wang, Jay Whelan, L. Winters, L. Xu, Hwa Seung Yoo, Seong Woo Yoon, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Shuenn-Tsong Young, Michal Zeman, and Francesco Zigioli. Without the collaboration of our reviewers, we would simply be unable to maintain the high quality of this journal. We are most grateful for their continued assistance.