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How Far Are We from Prescribing Fasting as Anticancer Medicine?
Maria V Deligiorgi1, Charis Liapi1, Dimitrios T Trafalis1
1Department of Pharmacology-Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Goudi, Athens, Greece.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 4, 2020
Summary
Fasting may enhance cancer treatment by differentially stressing cancer cells while protecting normal cells. Further research is needed to establish fasting protocols for safe and effective use in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic Research
- Cellular Stress Response
Background:
- Fasting is being explored as an anticancer strategy due to its potential to induce differential stress resistance.
- This approach leverages the concept that fasting can protect normal cells while making cancer cells more vulnerable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of fasting as an anticancer strategy.
- To review the hormonal, molecular, and cellular responses to fasting, particularly its link to oxidative stress.
- To examine preclinical and clinical evidence for fasting as an adjuvant to chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature.
- Analysis of hormonal, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of fasting.
- Evaluation of nonclinical and clinical studies on fasting in cancer therapy.
Main Results:
- Preclinical data suggest fasting can reduce chemotherapy toxicity and/or enhance its efficacy.
- Clinical evidence is promising but limited, indicating fasting's potential in oncology.
- Key challenges include patient selection, fasting patterns, timing, biomarker validation, and monitoring protocols.
Conclusions:
- Fasting shows potential as an anticancer therapeutic, possibly augmenting chemotherapy.
- Personalized approaches are necessary to overcome implementation challenges.
- Large randomized trials are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of fasting in cancer treatment.
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