Autophagy and intermittent fasting: the connection for cancer therapy?

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its incidence is continually increasing. Although anticancer therapy has improved significantly, it still has limited efficacy for tumor eradication and is highly toxic to healthy cells. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies to improve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy are an important goal in cancer research. Macroautophagy (herein referred to as autophagy) is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway for the intracellular recycling of macromolecules and clearance of damaged organelles and misfolded proteins to ensure cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional autophagy contributes to many diseases, including cancer. Autophagy can suppress or promote tumors depending on the developmental stage and tumor type, and modulating autophagy for cancer treatment is an interesting therapeutic approach currently under intense investigation. Nutritional restriction is a promising protocol to modulate autophagy and enhance the efficacy of anticancer therapies while protecting normal cells. Here, the description and role of autophagy in tumorigenesis will be summarized. Moreover, the possibility of using fasting as an adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying this approach, will be presented.

Dietary restriction of amino acids for Cancer therapy

“…Besides the intermittent dietary restriction of lysine with normal maize, intermittent globe AA restriction is also practically feasible and beneficial by welldocumented intermittent fasting [87][88][89][90], or using those common foods in Fig. 4b except cereals and grain products with great cautiousness for protein malnutrition.…”

Identification and Validation of an Individualized Autophagy-Clinical Prognostic Index in Gastric Cancer Patients

“…Then, lysosomal enzymes are used to degrade the substances in the cells, so as to realize the metabolism of the cells and the renewal of some organelles. Autophagy related genes LC3, Beclin 1 and ATG5 are all biomarkers of autophagy, which are involved in autophagy regulation [16][17][18].…”

Identification and Validation of an Individualized Autophagy-Clinical Prognostic Index in Gastric Cancer Patients

“…Macroautophagy is the only autophagy that can degrade organelles, which we usually call autophagy. Autophagy related genes LC3, Beclin 1 and ATG5 are all biomarkers of autophagy, which are involved in autophagy regulation [16][17][18].…”