Toxicity in Chemotherapy — When Less Is More

Normal cells and cancer cells respond differently to fasting: normal cells switch to maintenance pathways, but cancer cells do not and are thus sensitized to oxidative stress. A recent study suggests that fasting also renders cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy. Food is a potent inducer of metabolic responses. Specific nutrients enhance muscle accretion, while others modulate the inflammatory response or boost appetite. On the other hand, caloric restriction under normal conditions (i.e., the prolonged intake of approximately 20 to 40% fewer calories than are required) has been shown to protect against the development of chronic diseases. 1 Exploiting the differential effects of food and its absence on metabolic pathways during disease may be one strategy to enhance the efficacy of drug therapies. Significant improvements in the field of oncology have enhanced prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. Nevertheless, the prevalence of . . .