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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Pitfalls of enzyme-based molecular anticancer dietary manipulations: food for thought
Moreno Paolini1, Marion Nestle
1Department of Pharmacology, Biochemical Toxicology Unit, Alma-Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, I-40126 Bologna, Italy. paolini@biocfarm.unibo.it
Abstract:
Dietary approaches to cancer chemoprevention increasingly have focused on single nutrients or phytochemicals to stimulate one or another enzymatic metabolizing system. These procedures, which aim to boost carcinogen detoxification or inhibit carcinogen bioactivation, fail to take into account the multiple and paradoxical biological outcomes of enzyme modulators that make their effects unpredictable. Here, we critically examine the scientific and medical evidence for the idea that the physiological roles of specific enzymes may be manipulated by regular, long-term administration of isolated nutrients and other chemicals derived from food plants. Instead, we argue that consumption of healthful diets is most likely to reduce mutagenesis and cancer risk, and that research efforts and dietary recommendations should be redirected away from single nutrients to emphasize the improvement of dietary patterns as a principal strategy for public health policy.
Insights
Focusing on single nutrients for cancer chemoprevention is unpredictable. A whole-dietary pattern approach is more effective for reducing cancer risk and improving public health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cancer Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Current cancer chemoprevention strategies often target single nutrients or phytochemicals.
- These approaches aim to modulate enzymatic metabolizing systems for detoxification or to inhibit bioactivation of carcinogens.
- However, enzyme modulators can have paradoxical biological effects, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the evidence for manipulating physiological enzyme roles through isolated nutrient administration.
- To evaluate the efficacy of single-nutrient interventions versus whole dietary patterns in cancer prevention.
- To propose a shift in research and public health policy towards dietary patterns for cancer risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- Review and critical analysis of existing scientific and medical literature.
- Examination of evidence regarding the long-term effects of isolated nutrients and phytochemicals.
- Assessment of the impact of enzyme modulation on mutagenesis and cancer risk.
Main Results:
- The effects of single-nutrient interventions on enzyme systems are often unpredictable due to complex biological interactions.
- Evidence suggests that isolated nutrients may not be the most effective strategy for cancer chemoprevention.
- A holistic approach considering the entire dietary pattern is more likely to yield beneficial outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Shifting focus from isolated nutrients to overall dietary patterns is crucial for effective cancer chemoprevention.
- Public health policies and research should prioritize the promotion of healthy dietary patterns.
- Improving dietary patterns is a more reliable strategy for reducing cancer risk and mutagenesis.
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