Articles: 1. Helicobacter pylori infection and all-cause mortality 2. Vitamin C and chemo 3. Melaton

I have always wondered if Helicobacter pylori (the ulcer bacteria) has any relationship with colon cancer.  This small preliminary study seems to indicate infection may be negatively related to colorectal cancer survival.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I plan to ask my doctor about it on my next visit.

https://www.ima.org.il/FilesUpload/IMAJ/0/302/151023.pdf

Our findings suggest that H. pylori infection may be a risk factor for all-cause mortality among CRC patients who are evaluated by PET/CT.

Plus, since I am posting articles, here is an interesting preliminary article about Vitamin C as an adjunct to chemo:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00911/full

This approach was based on the study of the combination of high concentrations of AA [Vitamin C] with reduced concentrations of drugs conventionally used in CRC patients and eligible for first and second line chemotherapeutic regimens, namely 5-fluorouracilo (5-FU), oxaliplatin (Oxa) or irinotecan (Iri). The evaluation of the potential synergy between the compounds was first assessed in vitro in three CRC cell lines with different genetic background and later in vivo using one xenograft animal model of CRC. AA and 5-FU act synergistically in vitro just for longer incubation times, however, in vivo showed no benefit compared to 5-FU alone. In contrast to the lack of synergy seen in in vitro studies with the combination of AA with irinotecan, the animal model revealed the therapeutic potential of this combination. AA also potentiated the effect of Oxa, since a synergistic effect was demonstrated, in almost all conditions and in the three cell lines. Moreover, this combined therapy (CT) caused a stagnation of the tumor growth rate, being the most promising tested combination. Pharmacological concentrations of AA increased the efficacy of Iri and Oxa against CRC, with promising results in cell lines with more aggressive phenotypes, namely, tumors with mutant or null P53 expression and tumors resistant to chemotherapy.

Melatonin and 5FU work together (abstact only): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30091203

Melatonin suppresses tumor development. However, the exact relationship between melatonin and cancer stem cells (CSCs) is poorly understood. This study found that melatonin inhibits colon CSCs by regulating the PrPC -Oct4 axis. In specimens from patients with colorectal cancer, the expressions of cellular prion protein (PrPC ) and Oct4 were significantly correlated with metastasis and tumor stages. Co-treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and melatonin inhibited the stem cell markers Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1 by downregulating PrPC . In this way, tumor growth, proliferation, and tumor-mediated angiogenesis were suppressed. In colorectal CSCs, PRNP overexpression protects Oct4 against inhibition by 5-FU and melatonin. In contrast, Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1 have no such protection. These results indicate that PrPC directly regulates Oct4, whereas it indirectly regulates Nanog, Sox2, and ALDH1A1. Taken together, our findings suggest that co-treatment with anti-cancer drug and melatonin is a potential therapy for colorectal cancer.