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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Risk evaluation of the use of complementary and alternative medicines in cancer
S Renet1, A de Chevigny2, S Hoacoglu2
1Pharmacy department, groupe hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, 185, rue Raymond-Losserand, 75014 Paris, France; Education and Training Research Center (ED 139 - EA 1589), University of Paris Nanterre, Nanterre, France; Faculty of Pharmacy, Paris-Sud University, 5, rue Jean-Baptiste-Clément, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
Introduction:
Cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to improve their well-being. Little is known about real risks.
Objective:
To highlight 3 different types of axes: 1/cancer patients' perceptions concerning CAM; 2/misinformation/miscommunication about CAM; 3/CAM toxicity (direct toxicity, CAM-anticancer drugs, CAM-cancer interactions).
Method:
A questionnaire was proposed to cancer patients for 2 months. The CAM toxicity was analyzed if patients documented their drugs and CAM.
Results:
Eighty-five patients responded: 72/85 were taking≥1CAM. In total, 95% patients were satisfied. There was an increasing CAM intake after cancer diagnosis. One hundred and seventeen different CAM were identified (63 herbs, 24 essential oils, 28 food supplements, 2 homeopathic specialities). Only 30/85 were aware CAM could interact with anticancer drugs. No other type of risk was perceived.
Information Sources:
43/85 Internet, 38/85 general practitioner, 38/85 community pharmacist, 32/85 entourage, 25/85 other patients, 22/85 oncologist. In total, 81.3% questioned healthcare professionals (HCP) about CAM. Twelve patients noticed HCP lacked knowledge regarding CAM. The toxicity analysis was carried out for 24 patients who consumed 1 to 24CAM. In total, 133CAM were reported, including 87 different CAM. For only 43CAM/87, studies were found. All patients presented≥1risk: 14 at risk of CAM-cancer interactions, 15 of CAM-anticancer drug interactions, 21 of CAM direct toxicities.
Conclusion:
Many CAM are used by patients. The diagnosis of cancer favors their use. The risks are manifold: low perception of risk that can be induced by CAM, diverse and insecure sources of information and many potential toxicities that are not scientifically documented.
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