Researchers at the University of California San Francisco have discovered that a ketogenic diet can interact with certain cancer therapies to block the development of pancreatic cancer in mice. By combining a high fat diet with a new cancer drug called eFT508, the researchers were able to starve the cancer cells by blocking fat metabolism, leading to the shrinkage of tumors in an animal model of pancreatic cancer. The study, published in Nature, found that as long as the mice were fed the ketogenic diet, the tumors stopped growing. This finding has significant implications for the potential treatment of cancer through a combination of diet and personalized therapies.
The initial goal of the researchers was to study how the body sustains itself during fasting, which triggers a protein called eIF4E that causes the body to start metabolizing fat. The same process occurs under a ketogenic diet, leading to a decrease in fat metabolism. By combining eFT508 with a ketogenic diet in the animal model of pancreatic cancer, researchers were able to block fat metabolism and starve the cancer cells, resulting in tumor shrinkage. This discovery has the potential to pave the way for new ways to treat cancer through diet and targeted therapies, offering alternative approaches to traditional cancer treatments.
While the findings from the study are promising, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this diet-drug combination in humans. Registered dietitian nutritionist Melanie Murphy Richter emphasized that what works in mice may not always translate directly to humans, and the human body is complex. Sticking to a strict diet, especially while undergoing cancer treatment, may not be easy and could have an impact on a patient’s quality of life. Richter acknowledged the potential of the findings but urged caution and highlighted the need for further research to validate the approach for human cancer treatment.
Surgical oncologist Anton Bilchik noted that interacting with cancer therapy through a specific diet like the ketogenic diet could be beneficial, particularly for cancers like pancreatic cancer, which have limited treatment options. However, he also pointed out that weight loss and cancer interaction could pose risks, especially for patients with pancreatic cancer who may already be experiencing significant weight loss due to their condition. Bilchik emphasized the importance of carefully evaluating any new approach, considering both the potential benefits and risks, to ensure the best outcomes for cancer patients.
Richter highlighted the potential of fasting-mimicking diets like the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) as a more feasible and easier alternative to a strict ketogenic diet. By restricting certain nutrients and activating the body’s natural cellular rejuvenation processes, FMD may help in fighting certain cancers. Richter suggested that personalized approaches based on the patient’s needs and the specific form of cancer could help reduce the negative effects of diets and treatments. By targeting a cancer cell’s metabolic vulnerabilities, nutritional strategies like FMD could offer a less stringent and more adaptable alternative to traditional cancer treatment approaches.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment, where treatments can be tailored to target the specific weaknesses of different cancers. By understanding the unique metabolic needs of various cancer types, researchers can develop more effective and potentially less toxic therapies. While the potential of diet-drug combinations in treating cancer is promising, further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these approaches in human patients. The findings from this study open up new avenues for exploring innovative ways to combine diet and targeted therapies in cancer treatment, offering hope for improved outcomes for cancer patients in the future.
