Study by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) reveals high prevalence of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) use among childhood cancer survivors in Hong Kong, with potential CAM-drug interactions detected in almost a third of people receiving treatment. long-term medications. Future studies focusing on survivor behavior and motivations for CAM use are suggested.
“Childhood cancer survivors in Hong Kong are encouraged to have open discussions with their healthcare providers regarding their use of CAM, particularly if they are taking long-term medications (i.e. prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) Western medications taken daily for a long period of time). ≥ 30 days or used as needed for ≥ 6 months cumulatively in the last 12 months),” said Professor Yin-Ting Cheung from the School of Pharmacy at CUHK.
“While it may be difficult for pediatric oncologists to be well-equipped with knowledge about CAM, clinicians are encouraged to remain attentive to the needs of childhood cancer survivors and proactively identify potential interactions between CAM and medications,” said Professor Chi-Kong Li from the Department of Pediatrics, CUHK. “We hope that benchmark pathways to promote evidence-based integrative therapies for childhood cancer survivors can be developed in the near future. »
In the cross-sectional study, 393 childhood cancer survivors (males, 57.8%; mean current age, 17.7 years; leukemia, 44.0%; mean years after cancer treatment, 8.8) were recruited at the Prince of Wales Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Clinic. Hospital between October 2018 and April 2019. (J Cancer Survive 2021;doi:10.1007/s11764-021-01051-5)
More than half (n=205; 52.2%) of those surveyed reported using at least one type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (n=127; 62.0%), natural products (55.3% ) and non-oral therapy. (25.7 percent). Chinese herbal medicine and exclusive Chinese medicine (pCM) were used by 45.4 percent and 25.9 percent of TCM users. Nutritional supplements (41.5%) and mind-body practices (23.4%) were the most commonly used natural products and non-oral therapy, respectively.
The main reasons for using CAM included strengthening the immune system (13.5 percent), regulating the functional state of the body (10.3 percent), and improving general health (9.5 percent). percent).
A third of CAM users (n = 69; 33.7%) were under at least
long-term medication. Notably, 63 drug-CAM combinations potentially sensitive to pharmacokinetic (PK; 57.1%), pharmacodynamic (PD; 34.9%), or both PK and PD (7.9%) interactions were identified in 21 (30 .4%) of these 69 individuals.
Adult survivors were 2.35 times more likely to use CAM than adolescent survivors (>12 to 18 years). Similarly, survivors with or without solid central nervous system (CNS) tumors were 2.7 times more likely to use non-oral therapies.
The research team recently developed an educational program aimed at promoting safe and effective use of TCM among childhood cancer survivors. The program’s first initiatives included an online seminar on dietary therapies and educational materials guiding the use of CAM for childhood cancer survivors.
“Given the likelihood of harmful interactions between traditional Chinese medicines and medications if TCM is used inappropriately, survivors of childhood cancer are advised to seek advice from licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioners before starting TCM. TCM and other treatments,” said Dr. Katy Ho-Kee Koon of the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese medicine, CUHK.
