Intermittent Fasting in Cancer: a Role in Survivorship?

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss the historical development of intermittent fasting, its potential underlying mechanisms, and the state of clinical trials, and to reflect on considerations for practice and future recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: Preclinical studies consistently show the robust disease-modifying efficacy of intermittent fasting in various metabolic diseases which may hold implications for cancer prevention and survivorship. Twenty-one clinical trials have or are being conducted on fasting in cancer, utilizing various fasting regimens across different tumor types as a stand-alone intervention or in adjunct to anticancer treatment, with heterogenous outcome variables. Though there are no known, reproducible diets, to cure or prevent cancer recurrence, preliminary research on the underlying mechanisms, tolerance, and safety of intermittent fasting in cancer warrants further investigation. The inherent flexibility of intermittent fasting to accommodate all types of diets is of necessity in oncology.