I recently discussed the principles of integrative medicine in oncology and shared the latest research on the role of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) in the treatment of cancer at an international oncology conference in Rhodes, Greece. This conference, titled “The 16th World Congress on Advances in Oncology and 14th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine,” brought together hundreds of cancer researchers, oncologists and medical professionals from around the world to share the latest information and advancements in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The international event was organized by the International Journal of Oncology, Oncology Reports, International Journal of Molecular Medicine, and Molecular Medicine Reports, and held in Rodos Palace Resort on the island of Rhodes, Greece. The scientific program included presentations by scientists and medical doctors on topics in genetics, immunology, experimental oncology and brain tumors, among others.

For this presentation, I drew upon my 25+ years of experience as an integrative physician and researcher to discuss the energetic and philosophical principles of integrative medicine in oncology and how to apply these principles to cancer prevention and treatment. This included the latest body of research on Modified Citrus Pectin and novel polybotanical formulas in suppressing the growth and proliferation of cancer.

What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative medicine is a patient-driven, unbiased and individualized form of medicine that combines both conventional and holistic approaches to treat people as a whole, rather than focusing solely on diseases and symptoms. It emphasizes a partnership between the patient and the practitioner in the healing process, to create individualized programs and promote the body's inherent healing response.In my presentation, I discussed how integrative medicine takes into account the whole person - mind, body and spirit - to integrate both conventional and alternative therapies into uniquely tailored health protocols. True integrative medicine includes treatments and approaches that are synergistically combined for clinical outcome that is greater than the sum of its parts. This can include a combination of conventional drugs, exercise, supplements and nutrition - but it is also the merging of analytical conceptual thinking with a limitless ‘non-conceptual’ open-mindedness where anything is possible. Such a balance paves the way to true healing.

Research on Modified Citrus Pectin and Polybotanicals
I shared recent research on the role ofModified Citrus Pectin(MCP) and polybotanicals in the treatment of cancer, and explained specifically how MCP directly attacks cancer by binding to galectin-3 molecules (“sticky” surface molecules that promote angiogenesis and metastasis) and blocking their harmful effects, so cancer cells cannot spread and grow.
Over the last decade, a large body of peer-reviewed research has revealed that many of our most serious health concerns are associated with elevated levels of galectin-3 molecules. Modified Citrus Pectin - derived from citrus peels - is the only proven natural galectin-3 inhibitor and thus offers a powerful and all-natural way to address elevated galectin-3 for cancer, metastasis, and other chronic life threatening illnesses.

How Does MCP Work?
Food-grade pectin is a complex carbohydrate, a soluble form of fiber, and is not digested by humans. However, when citrus pectin is modified to reduce the length of the fiber chains and the amount of bulky cross-linking side groups, it can be made absorbable. As a result, MCP enters the circulatory system and reaches targeted areas of the body. MCP is structurally a poly galacturonic acid fiber, made up of glactose subunits, which has been shown to suppress cancer growth and metastases in multiple preclinical and clinical studies. In prostate cancer patients, MCP has been shown to increase the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time, and has also been shown to increase the quality of life in people with advanced stage cancers of multiple types of solid tumors. The anticancer effects are attributed to MCP being a natural ligand for galectin-3 molecules, inhibiting the over-expressed galectin-3 molecules that are present on the surface of cancer cells and circulating in the blood. Galectin-3 has been implicated in multiple pathological processes including abnormal proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis.

I also presented recent research on the successful treatment of highly invasive, hormone-dependent and independent prostateand breast cancercells using MCP, a novel poly-botanical formula for prostate cancer and another formula for breast cancer. These combinations significantly further enhanced inhibition of the invasive behavior of breast and prostate cancer cells, respectively.I concluded my presentation with an explanation of the role of the botanical extract Honokiol, and its synergistic effects in combination with polybotanicals, chemotherapy agents and MCP for the treatment of cancer.