How Far Are We from Prescribing Fasting as Anticancer Medicine?
Int J Mol Sci
; 21(23)2020 Dec 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33271979
ABSTRACT
(1) Background:
the present review provides a comprehensive and up-to date overview of the potential exploitation of fasting as an anticancer strategy. The rationale for this concept is that fasting elicits a differential stress response in the setting of unfavorable conditions, empowering the survival of normal cells, while killing cancer cells. (2)Methods:
the present narrative review presents the basic aspects of the hormonal, molecular, and cellular response to fasting, focusing on the interrelationship of fasting with oxidative stress. It also presents nonclinical and clinical evidence concerning the implementation of fasting as adjuvant to chemotherapy, highlighting current challenges and future perspectives. (3)Results:
there is ample nonclinical evidence indicating that fasting can mitigate the toxicity of chemotherapy and/or increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. The relevant clinical research is encouraging, albeit still in its infancy. The path forward for implementing fasting in oncology is a personalized approach, entailing counteraction of current challenges, including (i) patient selection; (ii) fasting patterns; (iii) timeline of fasting and refeeding; (iv) validation of biomarkers for assessment of fasting; and (v) establishment of protocols for patients' monitoring. (4)Conclusion:
prescribing fasting as anticancer medicine may not be far away if large randomized clinical trials consolidate its safety and efficacy.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ayuno
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Dietoterapia
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Neoplasias
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
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Etiology_studies
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Guideline
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Mol Sci
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article