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Advances in Radiotherapy
& Nuclear Medicine Integrating pet nutrition with radiotherapy and nuclear medicine

therapeutic approaches in the field of veterinary oncology. dehydrogenase kinase. This inhibition results in heightened
There is great potential for innovation in this sector, oxidative phosphorylation and diminished glycolysis
ranging from integrating dietary interventions with inside the cancer cells. These findings suggest that DCA
established medications to researching new targeted has the ability to enhance the susceptibility of cancer cells
techniques that take advantage of metabolic weaknesses to radiation.
in cancer cells.
4. Customized nutrition and treatment
3.2. Integration of dietary interventions with protocols
radiotherapy
Creating individualized meal plans (Table 4) tailored
Ketogenic diets, characterized by high-fat content and low to the unique metabolic profiles of cancer patients can
carbohydrate intake, exploit the metabolic weaknesses of optimize their nutritional status and improve treatment
cancer cells that primarily depend on glucose. Pre-clinical outcomes. 46,47 This method entails utilizing sophisticated
human investigations have shown that ketogenic diets can diagnostic tools to evaluate metabolic pathways in cancer
increase the responsiveness of malignancies to radiation cells and formulating diets that either deprive the cancer
while safeguarding healthy organs. Implementing cells of nutrients or augment the efficacy of treatments
comparable tactics in veterinary oncology may enhance such as radiation and radionuclide therapies. 35
the effectiveness of radiation in companion animals. Prioritizing dietary adjustments before diagnostic
1
High-protein meals can bolster muscle strength and overall imaging can enhance the absorption of radiotracers,
health in pets receiving radiation, potentially augmenting therefore enhancing the precision and dependability of
their ability to withstand treatment and recuperate. imaging tests. For instance, implementing controlled
Implementing this method can be especially advantageous fasting or regulating nutritional intake might establish
in the management of cachexia, a prevalent problem consistent physiological conditions, thereby decreasing
among cancer patients, thus enhancing their quality of life variability and improving the diagnostic significance of
and treatment results. 35 PET scans and other nuclear medicine techniques. 34

3.3. The impact of nutraceuticals on radiotherapy Integrating nutrition alongside modern cancer
Curcumin, a phytochemical included in turmeric, has therapies in veterinary oncology presents significant
demonstrated radio-sensitizing effects, enhancing the opportunities for developing pioneering treatment
vulnerability of cancer cells to radiation. Research approaches. By integrating nutritional treatments,
43
conducted on rodents has shown that curcumin has the nutraceuticals, and metabolic inhibitors with radiation
ability to augment the therapeutic benefits of radiation and nuclear medicine, it is feasible to create innovative
while simultaneously diminishing its adverse effects. treatment plans that optimize therapeutic effectiveness and
Applying these discoveries to veterinary oncology may decrease the adverse side effects associated with treatment.
result in the creation of nutritional supplements that Further investigation and experimentation in this field
improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies in animals. are crucial for implementing these promising approaches
7
Similarly, green tea extracts, rich in polyphenols such as into tangible interventions, ultimately improving results
epigallocatechin gallate, have demonstrated antioxidant and quality of life for domesticated animals suffering from
cancer.
and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Pre-clinical
research indicates that the administration of green tea 4.1. Personalized medicine approaches
extracts can enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy on
tumors and mitigate radiation-induced damage to healthy Personalized medicine techniques aim to customize
tissues. 40 treatment strategies to the unique characteristics of
individual patients, including their genetic composition,
Agents that impede metabolic processes and therapies tumor biology, and nutritional status. 48,49 Veterinarians
that specifically target radioactive isotopes have shown can enhance the cancer treatment process by including
potential for enhancing cancer treatments. Observational nutritional assessments and utilizing advancements in
and in vitro studies in human oncology have demonstrated precision medicine technologies. This approach allows
that metformin may augment the efficacy of radiation the identification of patients who are most likely to benefit
therapy; however, prospective, randomized clinical trials from targeted dietary therapies and other therapeutic
have failed to reproduce the same effect. On the other modalities. Utilizing nutritional indicators in treatment
45
hand, dichloroacetate (DCA) selectively impacts the algorithms has the potential to enhance patient outcomes
metabolic processes of cancer cells by inhibiting pyruvate and optimize resource allocation in veterinary oncology.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 8 doi: 10.36922/arnm.3522