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PERSPECTIVE article

Front. Oncol.
Sec. Cancer Metabolism
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1455022
This article is part of the Research Topic Metabolism, Gut Microbiome, and Cancer View all articles

Beyond Genetics: Integrative Oncology and the Metabolic Perspective on Cancer Treatment

Provisionally accepted
Pradeep MK Nair Pradeep MK Nair 1*Karishma Silwal Karishma Silwal 2Renganathan Ramalakshi Renganathan Ramalakshi 1Muniappan Devibala Muniappan Devibala 1Maruthanayagam Saranya Maruthanayagam Saranya 1Sekar Sivaranjan Sekar Sivaranjan 1Thangavelu R Thangavelu R 1Ayyappan Palanisamy Ayyappan Palanisamy 1Manickam Mahalingam Manickam Mahalingam 1
  • 1 Mirakle Integrated Health Centre, Pollachi, India
  • 2 Sant Hirdaram Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences for Women, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Cancer is traditionally approached as a genetic disease, with standard treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery significantly improving survival rates and patient outcomes. However, there is a growing recognition of the need for integrative oncology, which expands cancer management by considering cancer as a metabolic disease. Integrative medicine physicians employ holistic therapies focused on patients' needs, aiming to correct the metabolic imbalances associated with cancer and alleviate cancer-related symptoms. Viewing cancer as a metabolic disease involves addressing factors such as an acidic microenvironment, vitamin C deficiency, mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced intracellular oxygen levels, elevated oxidative stress, dysfunctional autophagy, and psychological stress. This paper presents an overview of the evidence and comprehensive strategies supporting integrative medicine approaches in addressing cancer metabolism in integrative oncology settings. Furthermore, the paper underscores the necessity of integrating different cancer theories-genetic and metabolic-for improved patient outcomes and experiences. By combining these perspectives, integrative oncology offers a more holistic, patient-centered approach to cancer treatment.

    Keywords: Metabolism, Warburg theory, Complementary medicine, metabolic disease, Cancer

    Received: 26 Jun 2024; Accepted: 29 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 MK Nair, Silwal, Ramalakshi, Devibala, Saranya, Sivaranjan, R, Palanisamy and Mahalingam. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Pradeep MK Nair, Mirakle Integrated Health Centre, Pollachi, India

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.