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Berries and their components on the prevention of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): A review on human clinical trials

Abstract

Myelodysplastic syndromes (“MDS”), is a group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders that can progress to acute myeloid leukemia. MDS is most commonly found in the aging and elderly population with a 35% 3-year survival rate. With a limited etiological understanding of MDS, and a fast disease progression, patients with MDS may benefit from an increased intake of fresh berries, natural foods, vegetables or products packed with an abundance of vitamins. As of recently, completed and new clinical trials are currently underway to establish an inverse correlation between increased fruit consumption, specifically a berry intake with a generalized decrease in associated symptoms and an overall improved quality of living. In this special review, the author examined current completed and actively recruiting clinical trials focusing on MDS and the use of berries and their components such as vitamins, and any natural product intervention with the treatment of MDS. This review combined the comprehensive results of human clinical studies to arrive at a common trend in this area, supplemented with published studies. Despite the current information available, indicating minimal correlation or strongly suggesting more comprehensive studies, additional clinical trials using berries may prove to be useful and necessary as an intervention or as an alternative therapeutic supplement to remedy the patient’s ailment.

1Introduction

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), is a group of bone marrow and blood disorders [1]. In patients with MDS, their stem cells lack the ability to mature leading to an increased abundance of immature and dysplastic cells. Mature, healthy cells flowing through the blood decrease in count, and cause the bone marrow to halt its function or work ineffectively. The cascade effect is such that there is a decreased red and white blood cell count leading to additional health issues, including but not limited to anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. As a result, the white blood cells are deemed ineffective at their function and could result in abnormal bone marrow chromosomal cells. The MDS subtypes may undergo additional molecular changes and become acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with about a third of patients developing AML. In this form of cancer (AML), blasts, or immature cells, grow at a rate that is not controlled and lead to further hematological complications.

According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, about 86% of patients with MDS are diagnosed at or around 60 years or greater with an average, median age at diagnosis of 76 years old [1]. Within the United States, between 2007-2011, the incidence of MDS is estimated to be between 5.3– 13.1 for every 100,000 cases [2]. As the population ages, the incidence of MDS for every 100,000 patients increases. For patients aged 65 or greater, MDS incidence is predicted to be between 75 to 162 for every 100,000 cases, whereas MDS prevalence within the United States is projected to be 60,000– 170,000 with a steadily increasing estimate [2]. Regarding age as an inclusive factor, MDS is not common in people who are younger than 50 years of age, with MDS becoming more common in people who are 70 years of age or greater. Unfortunately, patients with MDS have a shorter lifespan as a result of infection or bleeding, or after MDS becomes AML.

Further risk factors that compound MDS include radiation exposure, obesity, and viral infections [3]. The 2007 Report by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research found no association between an intake of vegetables and fruit and any type of cancer [3]. However, there was only suggestive or probable evidence rendering a protective effect implying added or benefits yet to be uncovered.

With these parameters established, deficit of conclusive information and studies, it is of utmost value to research the connection between nature products, berries, and vitamins in the prevention of MDS through a comprehensive review of relevant findings. The aim in this review is to find the most current findings on MDS, specifically in human clinical trials. This was achieved through a comprehensive global search, all in order to establish an association between an increased intake of natural products and MDS.

2Materials and methods

2.1Search strategy and determining eligibility of human clinical trials

This review was completed first by determining eligible English publications retrieved from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) United States (U.S.) National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov which is a clinical trials registry. This registry is the “largest clinical trials database and currently has over 230,000 trials from 195 countries in the world” [4].

Publications deemed eligible and in the English language were retrieved using the following search filters: under “Condition or disease” the search term was ((MDS)), a term that was auto-populated and affiliated with Myelodysplastic Syndromes AND under the “Other terms” to narrow down the search, the two terms entered, separately, were ((vitamins)) and ((berries)). Only “vitamins” and “berries” were entered to identify any available human clinical trial. The end search date was 07 March 2019 with no start search date in an effort to retrieve any and all studies. The author only analyzed English and Spanish studies. To maximize the amount of information and to identify relevant articles, reference lists and primary studies were cross-referenced to arrive at an aggregated list.

3Results

3.1Data extraction

The retrieved articles from ClinicalTrials.gov under the aforementioned search criteria gathered thirty-five clinical trials and only one recruiting human clinical trial when the search terms “MDS” and “berries” was used. For the purpose of this review, the results were further separated into two additional categories based on their status, namely “Recruiting” status and “Completed” status. “Recruiting” status clinical trials rendered seven results under “MDS” and “vitamins” while “Completed” status clinical trials rendered seventeen results. This schematic can be seen on Figure 1 and Figure 2 below. The total worldwide eligible articles based on search criteria had the following information presented in columnar form (Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3): status, study title, conditions, interventions, study type, study design, outcome measures, number enrolled, NCT number, other IDs, and locations. Of the seventeen completed clinical trials (Figure 3), fourteen completed clinical trials were completed in the United States (North America), two in Europe, and one in the Pacific. Of the seven recruiting clinical trials, six are recruiting currently in the United States (North America), and one clinical trial is currently recruiting in Denmark (Europe).

Fig.1

Flow chart representing the search procedure to identify eligible articles.

Flow chart representing the search procedure to identify eligible articles.
Fig.2

Flow chart representing the search procedure to identify eligible articles.

Flow chart representing the search procedure to identify eligible articles.
Table 1

List of 17 interventional and observational completed clinical trials with patients with MDS using vitamins or natural products with an end date on or before 07 March 2019. Items in bold are keywords retrieved from the search procedure

StatusStudy TitleConditionsInterventionsStudy TypeStudy DesignOutcome MeasuresNumber EnrolledNCT NumberOther IDsLocation(s)
CompletedEpigenetics, Vitamin C and Abnormal Hematopoiesis - Pilot StudyMyelodysplastic SyndromeDietary Supplement: Vitamin CInterventionalAllocation: RandomizedOverall 5-hmC/5-mC ratio20NCT02877277 (31)H-16022249Rigshopitalet Kobenhavn O, Denmark
Acute Myeloid LeukemiaDietary Supplement: PlaceboIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentOverall lysine methylation levels
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)5-hmC/5-mC ratio at regulatory genomic regions of genes involved in hematopoietic development
Primary Purpose: Treatment(and 6 more...)
CompletedCholecalciferol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic SyndromeLeukemiaDietary Supplement: cholecalciferolInterventionalMasking: None (Open Label)NCT00068276 (14)CCCWFU-29203Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University
Myelodysplastic SyndromesPrimary Purpose: TreatmentCDR0000318802
Myelodysplastic/ Myeloproliferative NeoplasmsCCCWFU-BG03-117Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
CompletedDecitabine, Arsenic Trioxide and Ascorbic Acid for Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid LeukemiaMyelodysplastic Syndromes and Leukemia, Myeloid, AcuteDrug: Arsenic TrioxideInterventionalAllocation: Non-RandomizedTo define the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities during four cycles of combination decitabine, arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) previously untreated with hypomethylating agents.13NCT00671697 (15)07-0916 / 201011797Washington University
Drug: DecitabineIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentTo estimate the rate of complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) after four cycles of therapy in patients with MDS.St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Masking: None (Open Label)To determine the rate of hematologic improvement
Primary Purpose: Treatment(and 6 more...)
CompletedParicalcitol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic SyndromeLeukemiaDrug: paricalcitolInterventionalMasking: None (Open Label)NCT00064376 (16)CDR0000315451Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Myelodysplastic SyndromesPrimary Purpose: TreatmentCSMC-IRB-4107-01Los Angeles, California, United States
CompletedZoledronic Acid in Preventing Osteoporosis in Patients Undergoing Donor Stem Cell TransplantLeukemiaDietary Supplement: calciumInterventionalAllocation: RandomizedMean Change in Bone Mineral Density61NCT00321932 (20)2005NT018Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota
LymphomaIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentMean Change in Serum OsteocalcinUMN-0506M70866Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Myelodysplastic SyndromesDietary Supplement: cholecalciferolMasking: None (Open Label)Mean Change in Serum Bone Specific Alkaline PhosphateUMN-MT2005-06University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
(and 2 more...)Drug: zoledronic acidPrimary Purpose: Treatment(and 6 more...)NOVARTIS-CZOL446EUS29Madison, Wisconsin, United States
CompletedLeucovorin for the Treatment of 5 q Minus Syndrome5q Minus SyndromeDrug: LeucovorinInterventionalPrimary Purpose: Treatment14NCT00004997 (21)980101Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center (CC)
Myelodysplastic Syndrome98-CC-0101Bethesda, Maryland, United States
CompletedCombination Chemotherapy Followed By Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation or Isotretinoin in Treating Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, or Acute Lymphocytic LeukemiaChronic Myeloproliferative DisordersBiological: filgrastimInterventionalPrimary Purpose: TreatmentNCT00003619 (22)AUH-MCP-70612-01Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital
LeukemiaDietary Supplement: vitamin ECDR0000066698Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Myelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: busulfanAUH-MCP-70612-02PMedical College of Pennsylvania
Thrombocytopenia(and 7 more...)NCI-V98-1485Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
CompletedIMG-7289, With and Without ATRA, in Patients With Advanced Myeloid MalignanciesAcute Myeloid LeukemiaDrug: IMG-7289InterventionalAllocation: Non-RandomizedSafety and tolerability as measured by monitoring of adverse events, changes in physical examinations, vital signs and laboratory parameters45NCT02842827 (23)IMG-7289-CTP-101Royal Adelaide Hospital
Myelodysplastic SyndromeDrug: All-trans retinoic acidIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentPharmacokinetic parameters as measured by acute and steady state samplingAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Masking: None (Open Label)The adequacy of the treatment regimen in producing a pharmacodynamic effect as measured by the IWG/Cheson response criteria
Primary Purpose: Treatment
CompletedArsenic Trioxide, Ascorbic Acid, Dexamethasone, and Thalidomide in Myelofibrosis/ Myeloproliferative DisorderChronic Myeloproliferative DisordersDietary Supplement: ascorbic acidInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentResponse rate at 6 months15NCT00274820 (24)CASE4Y04Case Medical Center, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
LeukemiaDrug: arsenic trioxideBone marrow response at 6 monthsP30CA043703Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Myelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: dexamethasoneMasking: None (Open Label)Spleen size at 12 weeksCCF-7671Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Myelodysplastic/ Myeloproliferative DiseasesDrug: thalidomidePrimary Purpose: TreatmentQuality of lifeCleveland, Ohio, United States
CompletedSecondary Prevention of Osteoporotic Fractures in Residents of Long-Term Care FacilitiesHip FracturesBehavioral: Long-term care facilities in the intervention arm will receive education and feedback audit on performanceInterventionalAllocation: RandomizedNumber of new prescriptions for FDA-Approved osteoporosis medications.64NCT00280943 (25)4686-05-7R2ERDuke University Medical Center
OsteoporosisIntervention Model: Crossover AssignmentDurham, North Carolina, United States
Masking: SingleSecondary Outcome Measures: Changes in number of bone mineral density test ordered, change in the number of hip protectors issued, change in the number of prescriptions for calcium and vitamin D, changes in the rate of new osteoporotic fractures.
Primary Purpose: Prevention
CompletedPENELOPE Observational Study: Prophylaxis and Treatment of Arterial and Venous ThromboembolismHematologic NeoplasmOther: ObservationObservationalObservational Model: Case-OnlyNumber of patients with progression of thrombosis.99NCT01855698 (26)EMATO0213S.O.C. di Ematologia - Azienda Ospedaliera - SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo Alessandria, Italy
Acute LeukemiaType of management strategy (including observation).Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I - G.M. LANCISI - G. SALESI Ancona, Italy
Myelodysplastic SyndromeTime Perspective: ProspectiveDosage of the antithrombotic drugs.Divisione di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale &Centro Trombosi - A.O. Papa Giovanni XXIII
(and 2 more...)(and 3 more...)Bergamo, Italy (and 20 more...)
CompletedCephalon Decitabine, Arsenic Trioxide and Ascorbic Acid for Myelodysplastic SyndromeMyelodysplastic SyndromeDrug: Decitabine, Arsenic Trioxide and Ascorbic AcidInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentNumber of Patients With an Overall Response of Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR)7NCT00621023 (17)Pro00011792Duke University Medical Center
Masking: None (Open Label)Duration of a Complete or Partial Response Based on Number of People Who Responded.7667ADurham, North Carolina, United States
Primary Purpose: TreatmentNumber of Patients With an Unacceptable Toxicity
CompletedDonor Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant and Pretargeted Radioimmunotherapy in Treating Patients With High-Risk Advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or Myelodysplastic SyndromeChronic Myelomonocytic LeukemiaBiological: Pretargeted RadioimmunotherapyInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentIncidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) (grade III/IV Bearman) to determine MTD of radiation delivered to normal organ by pretargeted 90Y-DOTA-biotin17NCT00988715 (13)2309.00Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm, UnclassifiableDrug: CyclosporineMasking: None (Open Label)Rates of engraftment, chimerism, and non-relapse mortalityNCI-2009-01294Seattle, Washington, United States
Previously Treated Myelodysplastic SyndromeDrug: Mycophenolate MofetilPrimary Purpose: TreatmentRate of grades III-IV acute GVHDP01CA044991
(and 6 more...)(and 6 more...)Achievement and duration of responseP30CA015704
CompletedCalcitriol and Dexamethasone in Patients With Myelodysplastic SyndromesMyelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: CalcitriolInterventionalAllocation: Non-Randomized32NCT00030069 (28)UPCI 01-020University of Pittsburgh
Drug: DexamethasoneMasking: None (Open Label)FD-R-002025-01Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Primary Purpose: Treatment
CompletedDoxercalciferol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Chronic Myelomonocytic LeukemiaLeukemiaDietary Supplement: doxercalciferolInterventionalMasking: None (Open Label)NCT00052832 (18)CDR0000258754University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center
Myelodysplastic SyndromesPrimary Purpose: TreatmentP30CA014520Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative DiseasesWCCC-HO-02403
CompletedCytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Bone Marrow FailureBone Marrow DiseasesObservationalObservational Model: Cohort2.1 To define the variability that exists in cytokine genes from bone marrow failure patients by typing their DNA for polymorphisms.79NCT00085670 (29)040213National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike
Time Perspective: OtherCompare cytokine polymorphisms of normal individuals (public domain studies and 03-H-0121) to those of patients with known bone marrow failure.Correlate cytokine gene polymorphisms of aplastic anemia and other bone marrow failure syndrome patien...04-H-0213Bethesda, Maryland, United States
CompletedImetelstat Sodium in Treating Patients With Primary or Secondary MyelofibrosisPrimary MyelofibrosisDrug: ImetelstatInterventionalAllocation: RandomizedMF patients: Overall response rate defined as a clinical improvement (CI), partial remission (PR), or complete remission (CR) according to the IWG-MRT consensus criteria81NCT01731951 (30)CR107110Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Secondary Myelofibrosis Myeloid MalignanciesIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentMDS patients: Overall response rate according to the IWG response criteria in myelodysplasiaCP14B019
Masking: None (Open Label)Maximum grade for each type of adverse event for each patient
Primary Purpose: Treatment(and 2 more...)
Table 2

List of 7 interventional and observational recruiting clinical trials with patients with MDS using vitamins (or natural products) with an end date on or before 07 March 2019. Items in bold are keywords retrieved from the search procedure

StatusStudy TitleConditionsInterventionsStudy TypeStudy DesignOutcome MeasuresNumber EnrolledNCT NumberOther IDsLocation(s)
RecruitingA Phase Ib/ IIa Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of Vitamin C in Patients With Intermediate or High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome With TET2 MutationsMyelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: 50 gm CIVI/ 24 hours x 5 days every 4 weekInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentMeasure of serum bioavailability of Vitamin C in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with TET2 mutations18NCT03433781 (8)17-00978University of Miami Miller School of Medicine -Sylvester Cancer Center
Masking: None (Open Label)Miami, Florida, United States
Primary Purpose: TreatmentNew York University School of Medicine New York, New York, United States
RecruitingEpigenetics, Vitamin C, and Abnormal Blood Cell Formation - Vitamin C in Patients With Low-Risk Myeloid MalignanciesMyelodysplastic SyndromesDietary Supplement: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)InterventionalAllocation: RandomizedMean Change from Baseline in 5-hmC/5-mC Level at 12 Months70NCT03682029 (9)H-16022249 low-risk cohortUniversity of Southern California Los Angeles, California, United States
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia-1Intervention Model: Parallel AssignmentMean Change from Baseline in 5-hmC/5-mC Level at 3 MonthsRigshospitalet
CytopeniaOther: PlaceboMasking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)Mean Change from Baseline in 5-mC at Selected Sites at 12 MonthsCopenhagen, N/A=Not Applicable, Denmark
Primary Purpose: Prevention(and 7 more...)Herlev Hospital Copenhagen, Denmark
RecruitingMonitoring, Detoxifying, and Rebalancing Metals During Front Line Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) TherapyAcute Myeloid LeukemiaDrug: Edetate Calcium DisodiumInterventionalAllocation: Non-RandomizedCytogenetic response (myelodysplastic syndrome patients)24NCT03630991 (10)2017-0752M D Anderson Cancer Center
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Arising From Previous Myelodysplastic SyndromeDietary Supplement: MultivitaminIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentNCI-2018-01610Houston, Texas, United States
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, BCR-ABL1 PositiveDrug: DMSAMasking: None (Open Label)P30CA016672
(and 4 more...)Primary Purpose: Treatment
RecruitingAscorbic Acid Levels in MDS, AML, and CMML PatientsMyelodysplastic SyndromesOther: Peripheral blood collectionObservationalObservational Model: Case-OnlyPeripheral blood ascorbic acid levels50NCT03526666 (11)17022Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan
Acute Myeloid LeukemiaTime Perspective: ProspectiveEvaluation of human endogenous retroviral sequences (HERVs) expressionGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Chronic Myelomonocytic LeukemiaEvaluation of 5-methylcitosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levelsMetro Health - University of Michigan Health
(and 3 more...)Wyoming, Michigan, United States
RecruitingTherapeutic Use of Intravenous Vitamin C in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant RecipientsHodgkin LymphomaDrug: Intravenous (IV) and oral Vitamin CInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentThe proportion of patients that experience non-relapse mortality (NRM)60NCT03613727 (6)MCC-17-13299Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer Center
Lymphoid LeukemiaMasking: None (Open Label)Time from transplant to engraftmentNCI-2018-01502Richmond, Virginia, United States
Multiple MyelomaPrimary Purpose: TreatmentTo determine the effectiveness of reducing GVHD
(and 4 more...)Characterize the safety and tolerability of the vitamin C regimen
RecruitingPlasmatic L-AScorbic Acid in MYelodyplastic Syndroms and ControlsMyelodysplastic SyndromeOther: SamplesInterventionalAllocation: Non-RandomizedPlasmatic ascorbic acid concentration at baseline180NCT02809222 (12)PHAO16-EG/PLASMYCClinical Research Center, University Hospital, Tours Tours, France
Secondary Acute Myeloid LeukemiaOther: Quality of life questionnaireIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentPlasmatic ascorbic acid concentration during follow-up2016-A00539-42Department of Haematology and Cell Therapy, University Hospital, Tours
Masking: None (Open Label)Plasmatic antioxidants concentrationsTours, France
Primary Purpose: Health Services Research(and 8 more...)
RecruitingTET2 Mutations in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Azacitidine+Ascorbic AcidMyelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: AzacitidineInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentNumber of patients with response per MDS International Working Group 2006 Criteria28NCT03397173 (7)CASE1917Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Institute, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Myeloproliferative NeoplasmDrug: Ascorbic acidMasking: None (Open Label)Number of AML patients with responseCleveland, Ohio, United States
Acute Myeloid LeukemiaPrimary Purpose: TreatmentIncidence of adverse events
(and 2 more...)
Table 3

List of 1 interventional recruiting clinical trial with patients with MDS using berries with an end date on or before 27 March 2019. Items in bold are keywords retrieved from the search procedure

StatusStudy TitleConditionsInterventionsStudy TypeStudy DesignOutcome MeasuresNumber EnrolledNCT NumberOther IDsLocation(s)
RecruitingHypomethylating Properties of Freeze-dried Black Raspberries (BRB) in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MDS/MPN)Myelodysplastic SyndromesDrug: Freeze-Dried Black Raspberry PowderInterventionalIntervention Model: Single Group AssignmentPresence of black raspberry metabolites in blood and urine.21NCT03140280 (5)PRO28985Froedtert &the Medical College of Wisconsin
Masking: None (Open Label)DNA hypomethylation measured with pyrosequencing.Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Primary Purpose: TreatmentDNA hypomethylation measured with MBDCap-seq.
(and 2 more...)
Fig.3

Map of 24 studies found by search of vitamins | Recruiting, Completed Studies | MDS | Start date on or before 07 March 2019. Heat legend indicates the number of studies with locations in that region. Table represents the number of studies and breakdown by world region.

Map of 24 studies found by search of vitamins | Recruiting, Completed Studies | MDS | Start date on or before 07 March 2019. Heat legend indicates the number of studies with locations in that region. Table represents the number of studies and breakdown by world region.

3.2Selection and description of human clinical trials

Figures 1 and 2 details the sequential steps for the determination and selection of human clinical trials deemed eligible for the review. Comprehensively, thirty-five titles and abstracts were retrieved with the search terms “MDS” and “vitamins”, with one study retrieved when the terms “MDS” and “berries” was used. Eleven studies were not included as they were not under the completed status or recruiting status for their respective studies. Within the excluded studies, three studies were terminated (location: two in Italy and one in the United States), two are enrolling by invitation (location: United States), two studies’ status is unknown (location: United States and Jerusalem), one study was suspended (location: Korea), and one study was withdrawn (location: Jerusalem).

Collectively, based on their status, seventeen human clinical trials were rendered eligible based on the connection between berries, vitamins, or natural product intervention and MDS. When “berries”, as a new search term and new query in combination with “MDS”, only one recruiting human clinical trial was retrieved. Table 3 details the status, study title, conditions, interventions, study type, study design, outcome measures, number enrolled, NCT number, other IDs, and the location of this unique human clinical trial. Of the seventeen human clinical trials, fourteen were conducted in the United States of which thirteen were interventional, two studies were completed in Europe, and one study was completed in the Pacific.

3.3Recruiting trials

Of the entire database within the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine, only one actively recruiting human clinical trial associated with the established search terms of “MDS” and “berries” was retrieved. This result is of importance in that it is the only currently recruiting human clinical available, further highlighting the urgency to have more human clinical trials in cue using natural products.

\begin quoteA Pilot Study to Investigate the Hypomethylating Properties of Freeze-Dried Black Raspberries in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome\end quote

The primary objective is to “evaluate the potential hypomethylating effects of freeze-dried black raspberries (BRBs) in the peripheral blood of patients with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) after 3 months of BRB administration” [5]. The secondary objective is to “evaluate the toxicity of BRBs in patients with MDS or MDS/MPN and to evaluate the hematological response according to modified IWG criteria in patients with MDS or MDS/MPN regardless of the initial blood count” [5].

In this first human clinical trial of its kind, “eighteen patients with MDS will be treated with 50 gm/day (25 gm 2×/daily) of BRB powder taken orally in slurry of 240 ml of water” [5]. “Patients will receive oral BRBs for a period of at least 12 weeks and the respective team will plan on evaluating the DNA methylation status in those patients at presentation and then monthly for 3 months from the peripheral blood” [5]. Patients may continue to be on black raspberries if he or she can tolerate it and is benefitting from it for a maximum period of 12 months.

The BRBs may be beneficial and could potentially show promise in the human health treatment and prevention of MDS. The phytochemicals found in BRBs, if timed correctly, and with studies like this one, could be a suitable addition and intervention to positively influence health. As a result, BRBs’ biological activities may not only be deemed as a source of endogenous antioxidants, but also as an anti-cancerous fruit in future health regimens.

Of the seven recruiting human trials, only five recruiting human trials were deemed topically relevant to the study based on the method, intervention plan, variables considered, and purpose of the study (Table 2). Two studies, specifically, Therapeutic Use of Intravenous Vitamin C in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients, was set to “determine the effect of parenteral vitamin C on non-relapse mortality (NRM) at one year following myeloablative allogeneic HCT” [6] while TET2 Mutations in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Azacitidine + Ascorbic Acid is “evaluating the efficacy of treatment with azacitidine (an FDA approved drug for the treatment of MDS) and high dose ascorbic acid in patients with TET2 mutations” [7]. The first study did not focus on MDS patients while the second study had an intervention approach of Azacitidine and ascorbic acid, which does not isolate the latter as a sole variable in improving the health responses of patients with MDS and/or MLS.

The following is a summary of the five remaining, relevant and actively recruiting human clinical trials associated with the established search terms of “vitamins” and “MDS”. These studies, based on their categorical nature, unlike the first two studies, focused exclusively on MDS and an intervention of select vitamins, which may help determine and isolate their effectiveness against the progression of MDS.

  • 1. A Phase Ib/IIa Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of Vitamin C in Patients With Intermediate or High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome With TET2 Mutations [8]

    • a. This is an “open label, Phase Ib/IIa study designed to evaluate the safety, toxicity and biological activity of high dose Vitamin C in bone marrow and peripheral blood when administered as therapy to patients with intermediate or high-risk MDS according to the revised IPSS (international prognostic scoring system) criteria whose disease has a Ten-eleven translocation-2, (TET2) mutation” [8].

  • 2. Epigenetics, Vitamin C, and Abnormal Blood Cell Formation - Vitamin C in Patients With Low-Risk Myeloid Malignancies (EVITA) [9]

    • a. The primary purpose of this “multi-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase II study is to investigate if oral vitamin C may change the biology of low-risk myeloid malignancies; i.e., clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS), low-risk MDS, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML)-0/1 by reversing some of the epigenetic changes characteristic of these disease entities; preclinical studies have shown that active demethylation by the TET enzymes is dependent on vitamin C, and the investigators have shown that plasma vitamin C levels are exceedingly low in hematological cancer patients but are easily corrected by oral vitamin C” [9].

    • b. This study is “part of an array of EVITA studies aimed at clarifying whether the standard of care of patients with myeloid malignancies should be changed and oral vitamin C supplement added to the treatment recommendations” [9].

    • c. This study is currently being conducted in Denmark.

  • 3. Monitoring, Detoxifying, and Rebalancing Metals During Front Line Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Therapy

    • a. The “goal of this clinical research study is to learn if giving calcium disodium edetate (Ca-EDTA) or dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or MDS while receiving standard chemotherapy can help to lower the level of metals found in the bone marrow and blood” [10].

    • b. “Researchers believe lowering the level of metals found in the blood/bone marrow may help to control the disease and/or improve response to chemotherapy” [10].

  • 4. Ascorbic Acid Levels in MDS, AML, and CMML Patients [11]

    • a. This study is a “non-interventional, specimen collection translational study to evaluate vitamin C levels in the peripheral blood of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), MDS, or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) patients [11].

  • 5. Plasmatic L-AScorbic Acid in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Controls (PLASMYC) [12]

    • a. MDS is a “group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by the clonal evolution of dysplastic hematopoietic stem cells” [12].

    • b. This “evolution is associated with accumulation of cytogenetic mutations which leads to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML); evolution of MDS is also associated with increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS)” [12].

    • c. The “increase of ROS is associated with accumulation of cytogenetic mutations” [12].

    • d. “Ascorbic acid (AA) is an actor of the regulation of the oxidative metabolism in the human body” [12].

    • e. “Studies showed that supplementation with AA can change the proliferation status of MDS cells; adjuvant treatment with AA is associated with a beneficial effect on the evolution of MDS and AML” [12].

    • f. The “present study aims at describing the variations of plasmatic ascorbic acid concentrations between healthy volunteers and patients with myelodysplastic syndromes advanced in their treatment or recently diagnosed during a follow-up of 12 months” [12].

    • g. This study is currently being conducted in France. The plasma collected will be later analyzed.

3.4Other nature products

3.4.1Mushrooms and MDS risk and/or treatment

In a Phase II study, maitake mushroom extract was well received and “enhanced in vitro neutrophil and monocyte function following treatment demonstrated that Maitake has beneficial immunomodulatory potential in MDS” [13]. The maitake mushroom treatment suggested “that G-CSF induction in bone marrow leads to HPC maturation and release of more functionally competent cells…improving the function in lower-risk MDS patients” [4].

3.5Completed trials

Below is a summary of five select completed human clinical trials associated with the established search terms (Table 1). Twelve completed human clinical trials were not included in this description as they deviated from treating MDS or used a combination of a drug and a vitamin potentially proving the effectiveness of natural products cumbersome and difficult to decipher. The results from these trials, however, are pending given their start date.

  • 1. Cholecalciferol in Treating Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome [14]

    • a. This vitamin D study, is a “phase II trial that studied how well vitamin D works to treat MDS patients, as cholecalciferol could increase blood counts, improve MDS symptoms, and lower fatigue” [14].

  • 2. Decitabine, Arsenic Trioxide and Ascorbic Acid for Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia [15]

    • a. This study is “designed to test the combination of decitabine, arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in 13 patients with MDS and acute myeloid leukemia” [15].

  • 3. Paricalcitol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome [16]

    • a. Paricalcitol is a “form of vitamin D that may help myelodysplastic cells develop into normal bone marrow cells; as a Phase II trial, its purpose was to study the effectiveness of paricalcitol in treating patients who have MDS” [16].

  • 4. Cephalon Decitabine, Arsenic Trioxide and Ascorbic Acid for Myelodysplastic Syndrome [17]

    • a. This is an “open-label, non-randomized trial pilot Phase II trial open to patients with MDS; the purpose of the study is to determine if the combination of decitabine, arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid is deemed safe” [17].

  • 5. Doxercalciferol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia [18]

    • a. Doxercalciferol, or Vitamin D, “may improve low blood cell counts and decrease the need for blood transfusions and may be an effective treatment for MDS; as a Phase II trial, its purpose was to study the effectiveness of doxercalciferol (Vitamin D) in treating MDS or myelomonocytic leukemia patients” [18].

4Discussion

The current availability of the clinical trials and the prospective impact the clinical trials could have for patients with MDS has far-reaching implications. Potential benefits that could be included are: (rendering) a positive association between both variables, reducing the symptoms associated with MDS, and in the future identifying therapeutic interventions.

On the other hand, a predicted barrier to executing these clinical trials is the specific targeted population they are seeking. To overcome this, biomarkers may help for an earlier diagnosis and intervention to develop a regimen that is both effective and personalized to meet the genetic and social needs of the patient. Another complexity to this review is the stage at which therapeutic options are offered. As a result, these circumstances will require rigorous preclinical research for tailored decisions. In reviewing the proposed treatment plans, a foreseeable difficulty is that some studies are combining drugs with a natural product, making the pinpointing more difficult (i.e. which natural product is better). Also, another limitation is the fact this review focused solely on completed clinical trials and currently recruiting clinical trials. Supported with Ma X., et. al., “In this analysis…fruit and vegetable intake did not appear to significantly influence the risk of MDS”…however, “since these factors were not evaluated in previous studies of MDS, these null findings need to be interpreted with caution” showing a promise for future studies to be warranted [1].

In conducting this review, the inherent total count collected limited the examination of available trials. It must be noted that a small count of human clinical trials strongly suggests an area for further research. Regarding efficacy, larger studies should be conducted to determine power efficacy.

A clear strength of this review is the fact that it is one of few reviews in written existence, bringing awareness, pre- and clinical attention to this type of intervention and an improved therapeutic experience for a better standard of living for patients with MDS. The present study gathers the most reputable resources to find parallels between current findings. Additionally, by conducting repeated searches, it reduced the chance of accidental oversight and reference lists were reviewed to gain full insight into completed clinical trials. Also, other databases were not searched, though it is probable any outstanding studies were not missed.

For the future, a longer study timeframe and period for human clinical trials is recommended to see if the effects will translate into lower infection rates. An interesting point to discuss is that for the future, “it may be important for clinicians to incorporate comorbidities into the risk stratification of patients with MDS when evaluating treatment options” as it could render a preventative and timely protective association [19].

5Conclusion

At the forefront of advancing groundbreaking research for patients with MDS are human clinical trials that offer alternative options to traditional treatments. As an understudied and minimally explored blood disorder with discrete information, the approval of new natural therapies is welcomed in MDS research development. Despite there being no reported toxicity in natural products and bioactive compounds, additional research is necessary to explore the etiology of MDS, develop preventative and clinically-relevant measures, and improve the quality of life of individuals with MDS. As it was noted, dietary interventions may result as a supplement to the treatment plan. The future findings, too, may benefit and be useful for patients who cannot tolerate aggressive therapy combinations.

In this area of limited research, the author summarized the available completed and currently recruiting human clinical search trials surrounding MDS and berries and their components, particularly vitamins, natural products and vegetables. The returned searches suggested a promising prospect for individuals with MDS, by means of active and currently recruiting studies. It is also noted that improved bioavailability formulation is needed to complement medical interventions. Earlier and better pre-clinical work can help discover mechanisms of potent and timely action. The benefits could, then, be more persuasive for the scientific and medical community to adopt and integrate into regular treatment plans.

Funding

The authors report no funding.

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest was disclosed.

Acknowledgments

To my mentor for her constant support, mentorship, and professional guidance. Without her, this special article would not be possible.

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