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Prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging

Mikhail V Blagosklonny1

  • 1Cancer Center, Ordway Research Institute, and Oncotarget, Albany, NY 12208, USA. Blagosklonny@oncotarget.com

Cancer Biology & Therapy
|September 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Slowing aging may prevent cancer. Targeting the nutrient-sensing TOR pathway, involved in aging, with inhibitors shows promise in delaying cancer in both rodents and humans.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Aging is a significant risk factor for various cancers, including breast, prostate, colon, lung, stomach, bladder, and skin cancer.
  • The nutrient-sensing target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway is increasingly recognized for its role in regulating cellular and organismal aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the link between aging and cancer predisposition.
  • To investigate the potential of targeting the TOR pathway to slow aging and prevent cancer.
  • To review evidence for TOR inhibitors in cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on aging and cancer.
  • Analysis of studies investigating TOR pathway modulation in aging models (rodents).
  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data on TOR inhibitor use and cancer incidence in humans.

Main Results:

  • Conditions interfering with the TOR pathway have been shown to slow aging and prevent cancer in rodents.
  • Retrospective clinical data suggest that TOR inhibitors are associated with cancer prevention in humans.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibition of the TOR pathway presents a potential strategy for slowing aging and delaying cancer onset.
  • TOR inhibitors may have a future clinical application in cancer prevention by targeting the aging process.

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