Biology
Analysis of Sources
Lebrec, H., Ponce, R., Preston, B.D., Iles, J., Born, T.L. & Hooper, M. (2015). Tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor inhibition, and cancer risk. Current Medical Research and Opinion 31/3: 557-574. DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2015.1011778
This is a secondary source. Reasons are as follows: -
The research design is based on a literature review (Lebrec, Ponce, Preston, Iles, Born, & Hooper, 2015, p. 557).
The researchers have carried out a topic search in the Ovid Database system (Lebrec, Ponce, Preston, Iles, Born, & Hooper, 2015, p. 559).
The researchers have quoted work from Waters et. al, Grunhagen et. al. and Derorose et. al. to establish the efficacy of isolated limb perfusion as an effective treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma (Lebrec, Ponce, Preston, Iles, Born, & Hooper, 2015, p. 559).
The researchers have quoted work from de Vissser et. al and others to establish that inflammation contributes to tumor development through the expression of cytokines such as TNF (Lebrec, Ponce, Preston, Iles, Born, & Hooper, 2015, p. 563).
The researchers have quoted work from Cen G et. al, Tsukasaki et. al and others to establish that TNF in the inflammatory microenvironment may favor tumor growth in some cases, while being a poor prognostic factor in others (Lebrec, Ponce, Preston, Iles, Born, & Hooper, 2015, p. 564).
Iwasawa, H. & Yamazaki, M. (2009). Differences in biological response modifier-like activities according to the strain and maturity of bananas. Food Science Technology Research 15/3: 275-282.
This is a primary source. Reasons are as follows: -
The researchers have themselves carried out in vitrio observation of the differences in morphological changes in macrophages (Iwasawa & Yamazaki, 2009, p. 276).
The researchers have themselves measured the priming activity for cytokine production after i.p administration (Iwasawa & Yamazaki, 2009, p. 276).
The researchers have themselves measured priming activity for cytokine production after per oral administration (Iwasawa & Yamazaki, 2009, p. 276).
The researchers have measured the dopamine and serotonin content of bananas (Iwasawa & Yamazaki, 2009, p. 277).
The researchers have identified the differences in neutrophil accumulation activity according to banana strain and maturity level based on their measurements and data (Iwasawa & Yamazaki, 2009, p. 277).
Recommendations Regarding NatuRx Application
The sources submitted by NatuRx in support for its product promising a natural treatment for cancer offer contradictory viewpoints. The paper by Lebrec et. al assesses the impact of tumor necrosis factors on malignancy and concludes that while TNF is a risk factor for cancer, its inhibition in RA patients is not associated with an increased cancer risk, and that TNF inhibition is not associated with cancers linked to immune suppression. Lebrec et. al recommend a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment to elicit a better understanding of the potential risks of TNFs. Thus, while not directly commenting on the powers of banana to treat cancer, Lebrec et. al suggest more research is required to assess its impact on TNFs and the likely applications required to prevent cancer by way of elevating or suppressing TNFs.
On the other hand, Iwasawa et. al , through their research, indicate that banana intake is associated with biological response modifier (BRM) activities that vary according to the maturity levels of bananas. In effect, their research indicates that given the right strains and maturity levels of bananas, there is potential to prevent lifestyle related diseases and carcinogenesis. Iwasava et. al, however, recommend further studies to assess the impact of dopamine in immune-stimulatory effects of bananas. Thus, their research indicates the potential of banana to prevent cancer, but recommends further study on the subject.
A paper by Timsina and Nadumane (2014) evaluates the anti-cancer activity of banana flower extract on the cervical cancer cell line HeLa. They found that a bioactive fraction 2 could be a novel one with higher anticancer and anti proliferative effects. However, the researchers admit that further characterization and animal studies are required to substantiate this fact. The paper is a primary source, as the researchers have carried out the experiments themselves. It is reliable as it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.
A paper by Vincent, Jack and Ng (2007) found that a thaumatin-like protein extracted form the emperor banana inhibited mycelial growth, but did not affect mitogenic response on tumor cells. They found that the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase was slightly inhibited. In effect, the researchers indicated the potential of banana to inhibit cancer, but did not conclusively prove the fact. The paper is a primary source, as the researchers have carried out the experiments themselves. It is reliable as it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Thus, the papers submitted by NatuRx and additional sources surveyed are not conclusive in the cancer-fighting properties of banana. While banana is likely to have cancer-inhibiting properties, existing research indicates that further study is required on the subject before fielding any drug as a cancer-fighting drug for humans. It is therefore recommended that the application by NatuRx be rejected.
References
Iwasawa, H. & Yamazaki, M. (2009). Differences in biological response modifier-like activities according to the strain and maturity of bananas. Food Science Technology Research 15/3: 275-282.
Lebrec, H., Ponce, R., Preston, B.D., Iles, J., Born, T.L. & Hooper, M. (2015). Tumor necrosis factor, tumor necrosis factor inhibition, and cancer risk. Current Medical Research and Opinion 31/3: 557-574. DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2015.1011778
Timsina, B., & Nadumane, V.K. (2014). Anti-cancer potential of banana flower extract: an in vitrio study. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmocology 9/4: 628-635. DOI: 10.3329/bjp.v9i4.20610. Retrieved February 14, 2016, from http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJP/article/view/20610/14561
Vincent, H.S.M., Jack, W.H., & Ng, T.B. (2007). A thaumatin-like antifungal protein from the emperor banana. Peptides 28/4: 760-766. DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.01.005. Accessed from EBSCOHost database.
