Fasting to enhance chemo
Cancer Research Findings Explained
By Athan Bezaitis on February 2, 2009 2:50 PM http://uscnews.usc.edu/health/cancer...explained.html Quote:
USC biologists discover a way to protect healthy cells against chemotherapy. http://college.usc.edu/news/stories/...-magic-shield/ <small> By Carl Marziali March 1, 2008 </small> <small> tags: biology, chemotherapy </small> http://college.usc.edu/assets/img/shared/share_digg.gif http://college.usc.edu/assets/img/sh...e_facebook.gif http://college.usc.edu/assets/img/sh...are_reddit.gif http://college.usc.edu/assets/img/sh...umble_upon.gif Fasting for two days protects healthy cells against chemotherapy, according to a study appearing online the week of March 31 in PNAS Early Edition. Mice given a high dose of chemotherapy after fasting continued to thrive. The same dose killed half the normally fed mice and caused lasting weight and energy loss in the survivors. The chemotherapy worked as intended on cancer, extending the lifespan of mice injected with aggressive human tumors, reported a group led by Valter Longo of the USC Davis School of Gerontology and USC College. Test tube experiments with human cells confirmed the differential resistance of normal and cancer cells to chemotherapy after a short period of starvation. Making chemotherapy more selective has been a top cancer research goal for decades. Oncologists could control cancers much better, and even cure some, if chemotherapy was not so toxic to the rest of the body. Experts described the study as one of a kind. “This is a very important paper. It defines a novel concept in cancer biology,” said cancer researcher Pinchas Cohen, professor and chief of pediatric endocrinology at UCLA. “In theory, it opens up new treatment approaches that will allow higher doses of chemotherapy. It’s a direction that’s worth pursuing in clinical trials in humans.” Felipe Sierra, director of the Biology of Aging Program at the National Institute on Aging, said, “This is not just one more anti-cancer treatment that attacks the cancer cells. To me, that’s an important conceptual difference.” Sierra was referring to decades of efforts by thousands of researchers working on “targeted delivery” of drugs to cancer cells. Study leader Longo focused instead on protecting all the other cells. Sierra added that progress in cancer care has made patients more resilient and able to tolerate fasting, should clinical trials confirm its usefulness. “We have passed the stage where patients arrive at the clinic in an emaciated state. Not eating for two days is not the end of the world,” Sierra said. “This could have applicability in maybe a majority of patients,” said David Quinn, a practicing oncologist and medical director of USC Norris Hospital and Clinics. He predicted that many oncology groups would be eager to test the Longo group’s findings and advised patients to look for a clinical trial near home. Longo, an anti-aging researcher who holds joint appointments in gerontology and biological sciences at USC, said that the idea of protecting healthy cells from chemotherapy may have seemed impractical to cancer researchers because the body has many different cells that respond differently to many drugs. “It was almost like an idea that was not even worth pursuing,” Longo said. “In fact it had to come from the anti-aging field because that’s what we focus on: protecting all cells at once.” According to Cohen, “What really was missing was a perspective of someone from the aging field to give this field a boost.” The idea for the study came from the Longo group’s previous research on aging in cellular systems, primarily lowly baker’s yeast. About five years ago, Longo was thinking about the genetic pathways involved both in the starvation response and in mammalian tumors. When the pathways are silenced, starved cells go into what Longo calls a maintenance mode characterized by extreme resistance to stresses. In essence, the cells are waiting out the lean period, much like hibernating animals. But tumors by definition disobey orders to stop growing because the same genetic pathways are stuck in an “on” mode. That could mean, Longo realized, that the starvation response might differentiate normal and cancer cells by their stress resistance and that healthy cells might withstand much more chemotherapy than cancer cells. The shield for healthy cells does not need to be perfect, Longo said. What matters is the difference in stress resistance between healthy and cancerous cells. During the study, conducted both at USC and in the laboratory of Lizzia Raffaghello at Gaslini Children’s Hospital in Genoa, Italy, the researchers found that current chemotherapy drugs kill as many healthy mammalian cells as cancer cells. “(But) we reached a two to five-fold difference between normal and cancer cells, including human cells in culture. More importantly, we consistently showed that mice were highly protected while cancer cells remained sensitive,” Longo said. If healthy human cells were just twice as resistant as cancer cells, oncologists could increase the dose or frequency of chemotherapy. “We were able to reach a 1,000-fold differential resistance using a tumor model in baker’s yeast. If we get to just a 10–20 fold differential toxicity with human metastatic cancers, all of a sudden it’s a completely different game against cancer,” Longo said. “Now we need to spend a lot of time talking to clinical oncologists to decide how to best proceed in the human studies.” Edith Gralla, a research professor of chemistry at UCLA, said, “It is the sort of opposite of the magic bullet. It’s the magic shield.” Funding from the study came from the National Institute on Aging (part of the National Institutes on Health), the USC/Norris Cancer Center and the Associazione Italiana per la Lotta al Neuroblastoma. USC graduate student Changhan Lee and Gaslini’s Raffaghello performed key experiments. The other authors were Fernando Safdie, Min Wei and Federica Madia of USC and Giovanna Bianchi of Gaslini. Longo has been studying aging at the cellular level for 15 years and has published in the nation’s leading scientific journals. He is the Albert L. and Madelyne G. Hanson Family Trust Associate Professor at the USC Davis School with joint appointments as associate professor of biological sciences at USC College and in the Norris Cancer Center. For Clinicians and Patients Fasting before chemotherapy has unknown risks and benefits for humans, Longo cautioned. Only clinical trials can establish the effectiveness and safety of fasting before chemotherapy. “Don’t try and do this at home. We need to do the studies,” said Quinn, the USC Norris oncologist. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjABM8UmBzI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsjllptQII Related mechanism in insulin potentiation therapy? 11/16/09 Targets 09 Episode 3: Listen to David Sabatini, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the Whitehead Institute and associate professor of biology at MIT, speak about his work on dietary restriction and tumor response. http://media.libsyn.com/media/aacr/A...odcastsEp3.mp3 Some notes: History of dietary/caloric restriction theory: restriction by 30% thought to reduce incidence and growth amongst all cancers. Current research found disparities in response divided cancers into responsive/unresponsive Resistant cancers, when cell analyzed didn't care about insulin growth factors. Responsive cancers followed insulin levels tightly which implicated PI3 kinase pathway, one of the major systems of response to insulin levels. Looked at the two types of cells and found Pi3 kinase pathways differed, resistant cells had mutated PI3 kinase pathways. Manipulation of pathway could induce resistance or responsiveness showing causation and identified PI3K as pivotal. Mimetics (metformin?) of caloric restriction could prove helpful. However findings suggest need to identify which tumors will respond. Despite prevalent thinking that restriction worked on all tumors, closer look at data from the 30's actually does show disparities. Identification of main pathway/response determination is biggest finding. Simplifies what was thought to be a complex process. Insulin levels drop when you calorically restrict. But here's a (mutated) pathway that lets the cells think there's always insulin. If caloric restriction important the reverse is implicated. Obesity may be biggest driver of increased cancer. Need to find out role of mutated pathway in obese patients. Suggests organism/metabolism focus is warranted. Study demonstrated advancement in mouse models that showed same results of human xenograft models. Fasting Heightens Chemotherapy Benefits Starvation paired with cancer drugs slowed or stopped unchecked cell growth in yeast and mouse models of cancer, outpacing or matching the isolated effects of chemo. By Hannah Waters | February 8, 2012 http://the-scientist.com/2012/02/08/...rapy-benefits/ Quote:
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Onken B, Driscoll M. PLoS One. 2010 Jan 18;5(1):e8758. <dl class="rprtid"><dt>PMID:</dt><dd>20090912</dd><dd>[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] </dd></dl>Free PMC Article More on Metformin and cancer: http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=39740 |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
Fascinating!!
Ellie |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
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Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
Thanks, Rich. You find the best articles. Wish I could get my onco to give me Metformin.
Amelia |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
This is one of several similar findings. An editorial in the Journal of Clinical Oncology by University of Chicago researchers that ruffled some industry feathers by arguing that taking Tykerb with fatty meals (the label says not to) is synergistic, greatly improved absorption and could lead to reduced doses (by 60%) which means less cost for the $2,900-a-month price tag, and reduced side effects, particularly diarrhea.
A company-sponsored study showed that Tykerb blood levels increased by 167% when taken with a low-fat meal, compared with taking the drug on an empty stomach -- and by 325% after a high-fat meal. Researchers, Drs. Mark Ratain and Ezra Cohen, argue that these kinds of food-drug interactions should be explored to lower drug costs. And if taken with grapefruit juice, the potential cost savings could be about 80%, since Tykerb interacts with CYP3A4. Powerful compounds in the grapefruit called furanocoumarins obliterate the CYP3A4 enzyme in the intestines and liver. The result is that more of the drug gets into the bloodstream. Individuals have different levels of CYP3A4 that breaks down drugs before they even have the chance to get into the bloodstream. Patients with very active CYP3A4 get lower amounts of drugs into their systems than those with low levels of the enzyme. Some patients may have naturally low levels of the CYP3A4 enzyme and thus wouldn't need it, Certain drugs have a hard time reaching optimal blood levels at prescribed doses. Some doctors are interested in intentionally boosting the effects with grapefruit. http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/25/23/3397.full.pdf In addition to Tykberb, Zytiga (abiraterone) is also better absorbed with food, though (it too) the label says empty stomach. Cell function analysis has been able to reverse Zytiga resistance by having patients take it with a fatty meal. |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
Actually, the oral meds with food/fats seems more of an absorption/net dosage issue as opposed to the idea of fasting allowing normal cells to pull out of the target zone of typical chemo. But it is interesting if Tykerb absorption could be increased/maintained with lower dose comibined with certain foods. Suggests the dreaded Tykerrhea™ is more due to the pill base irritating the digestive tract as opposed to the circulating drug.
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Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
bumping up because this is great info.
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Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
The rainbow beauty of fasting if it works in humans, is that it is under patient control. It is not some drug we have to wait 15 years for approval that is usually limited anyway. Im praying it works. I didnt read the articles carefullyyet or really research them. Could fasting before chemo decrease hair loss? That would be fantastic.
Paul |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
Our fasting experience is summarized on this thread.
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Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
This recent study was for Her2 negative patients ...
BMC Cancer. 2015 Oct 5;15:652. doi: 10.1186/s12885-015-1663-5. The effects of short-term fasting on tolerance to (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2-negative breast cancer patients: a randomized pilot study. de Groot S1, Vreeswijk MP2, Welters MJ3, Gravesteijn G4, Boei JJ5, Jochems A6, Houtsma D7, Putter H8, van der Hoeven JJ9, Nortier JW10, Pijl H11, Kroep JR12. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND: Preclinical evidence shows that short-term fasting (STF) protects healthy cells against side effects of chemotherapy and makes cancer cells more vulnerable to it. This pilot study examines the feasibility of STF and its effects on tolerance of chemotherapy in a homogeneous patient group with early breast cancer (BC). METHODS: Eligible patients had HER2-negative, stage II/III BC. Women receiving (neo)-adjuvant TAC (docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) were randomized to fast 24 h before and after commencing chemotherapy, or to eat according to the guidelines for healthy nutrition. Toxicity in the two groups was compared. Chemotherapy-induced DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was quantified by the level of γ-H2AX analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included of whom seven were randomized to the STF arm. STF was well tolerated. Mean erythrocyte- and thrombocyte counts 7 days post-chemotherapy were significantly higher (P = 0.007, 95 % CI 0.106-0.638 and P = 0.00007, 95 % CI 38.7-104, respectively) in the STF group compared to the non-STF group. Non-hematological toxicity did not differ between the groups. Levels of γ-H2AX were significantly increased 30 min post-chemotherapy in CD45 + CD3- cells in non-STF, but not in STF patients. CONCLUSIONS: STF during chemotherapy was well tolerated and reduced hematological toxicity of TAC in HER2-negative BC patients. Moreover, STF may reduce a transient increase in, and/or induce a faster recovery of DNA damage in PBMCs after chemotherapy. Larger studies, investigating a longer fasting period, are required to generate more insight into the possible benefits of STF during chemotherapy. |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
Anyone fasting during brain rads?
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Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
I fasted with my very first chemos back in 2009, after contacting Mr Longo at USC. My very first scans showed the cancer had cleared from my lungs and bones, some healed completely. Needless to say, I am still here and now trying the ketogenic diet, after reading "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease" and more suited to the lay person "Tripping Over the Truth."
My cancer is Her2+++ 7.7 Fish and Grade 3+ My biggest problem with fasting and ketogenic diets is weight loss. <script src="https://theresultshub-a.akamaihd.net/TheResultsHub/cr?t=BLFF&g=861c4db8-6847-45fa-9155-3d1e5f587182" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="https://theresultshub-a.akamaihd.net/TheResultsHub/cr?t=BLFF&g=861c4db8-6847-45fa-9155-3d1e5f587182" type="text/javascript"></script> |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
I agree about the weight loss, I am doing a calorie-reduced ketogenic diet. Thanks for sharing. I find that I can only do intermittent fasting, about 24-28 hours at most. Then I have to eat something so I eat salmon or eggs, or cheese.
waterdreamer, were you able to fast during your last rads for your brain mets? I'm in the midst of getting fractionated SRS to 2 of my lesions. 2 down. 3 to go. |
Re: Fasting to enhance chemo
I have never thought about fasting through brain rads, because I have always had such a good response. But after reading Tripping Over the Truth, and Cancer as a Metabolic Disease, it is something I would do in the future. They also mentioned to avoid steroids as that increases blood glucose, but I would need to research that further. Where are you doing your SRS? I think it has really helped me to avoid carbs and sugar on this journey, but it is not always easy - popcorn is my weakness - and my weight is really low. Please keep me updated on your progress. I also read the Cantin Ketogenic Diet, but the other books contradict her diet as hers is not a reduced calorie diet. It is also poorly written, I believe French is her first language.
What tests are you using to determine ketosis? The blood test strips are ridiculously expensive. Wishing you so much success with the SRS. <script src="https://theresultshub-a.akamaihd.net/TheResultsHub/cr?t=BLFF&g=861c4db8-6847-45fa-9155-3d1e5f587182" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="https://theresultshub-a.akamaihd.net/TheResultsHub/cr?t=BLFF&g=861c4db8-6847-45fa-9155-3d1e5f587182" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="https://theresultshub-a.akamaihd.net/TheResultsHub/cr?t=BLFF&g=861c4db8-6847-45fa-9155-3d1e5f587182" type="text/javascript"></script> |
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