Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
1–10 of 53 posts
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#2Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#3Site seems a bit slow, so here's the abstract:
Abstract
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment are advised to increase food intake to overcome the therapy-induced side effects, and weight loss. Dietary restriction is known to slow down the aging process and hence reduce age-related diseases such as cancer. Fasting or short-term starvation is more effective than dietary restriction to prevent cancer growth since starved cells switch off signals for growth and reproduction and enter a protective mode, while cancer cells, being mutated, are not sensitized by any external growth signals and are not protected against any stress. This phenomenon is known as differential stress resistance (DSR). Nutrient signaling pathways involving growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis and its downstream effectors, play a key role in DSR in response to starvation controlling the other cell maintenance systems, such as autophagy and apoptosis, that are related to the tumorigenesis. Yeast cells lacking these effectors are better protected against oxidative stress compared to normal cells. In the same way, starvation protects many cell lines and mice against high-dose chemotherapeutic drugs. According to a series of studies, fasting results in overall reduction in chemotherapy side effects in cancer patients. Data shows that starvation-dependent differential chemotherapy is safe, feasible and effective in cancer treatment, but the possible side effects of starvation limit its efficacy. However, further studies and clinical trials may result in its implementation in cancer treatment.
Keywords: Starvation; Dietary restriction; Differential stress resistance; Differential chemotherapy; Nutrient-signaling pathways.
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#4I thought that 6-MP did the same without making the patient starve. Only "bad" cells starve.
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#5Note that this paper is heavy on theory, not so much on the evidence. The only "proof" of this conjecture is right at the end where they mention 10 people tried starvation before chemo and reported feeling less side-effects afterwards.
I'm actually trying out an intermittent fasting diet right now for weight loss. I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond weight loss.
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#6So since we all develop cancer cells at some point doesn't this same logic hold to not "feed" them? And we might not be able to starve constantly but we can avoid producing insulin. I hope more studies can prove the links between dietary choices and cancer.
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#7So since we all develop cancer cells at some point doesn't this same logic hold to not "feed" them? And we might not be able to starve constantly but we can avoid producing insulin. I hope more studies can prove the links between dietary choices and cancer.
A biology student told me that Cancer cells are "running" in a partial state and don't require the same amount of nutrients that normally functioning cells do, therefore if you stop feeding cells altogether, the healthy ones will die first.
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#8So since we all develop cancer cells at some point doesn't this same logic hold to not "feed" them? And we might not be able to starve constantly but we can avoid producing insulin. I hope more studies can prove the links between dietary choices and cancer.
From the abstract posted by Junto, it looks like the idea isn't to starve the cancer cells, it's to starve the healthy cells. The point being that when starving, healthy cells stop growing and become less susceptible to chemo drugs, while the cancer cells ignore the starvation and keep growing, so do not get the same protection.
Imagine a TV scene where the hero starts yelling 'get down' in a crowded area before a gunfight breaks out. The 'bad guys' stay upright and the confused civilians duck, so fewer civilians get shot.
IANABiologist
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#9Note that this paper is heavy on theory, not so much on the evidence. The only "proof" of this conjecture is right at the end where they mention 10 people tried starvation before chemo and reported feeling less side-effects afterwards. I'm actually trying out an intermittent fasting diet right now for weight loss. I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond…
Re: Starvation Based Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach for Cancer Treatment [pdf]
#10Note that this paper is heavy on theory, not so much on the evidence. The only "proof" of this conjecture is right at the end where they mention 10 people tried starvation before chemo and reported feeling less side-effects afterwards. I'm actually trying out an intermittent fasting diet right now for weight loss. I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond…
>I'm actually trying out an intermittent fasting diet right now for weight loss. I'm just always skeptical of new fad diets when they start claiming all sorts of health benefits beyond weight loss.
Weightloss. To me, still means in I fast (skip breakfast/lunch and drink coffee) and start eating when I get back home out of work. I love it because I build up a 'caloric buffer', for when something unexpected happens (random cake/donuts/birthday). IF allows me to adjust my calories at the end of the day as I see fit.