Prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging

Cancer Biol Ther. 2008 Oct;7(10):1520-4. doi: 10.4161/cbt.7.10.6663. Epub 2008 Oct 21.

Abstract

Aging is associated with cancer, in particular with breast, prostate, colon, lung, stomach, bladder and skin cancer. This article discusses how aging predisposes one to cancer. In principle, inhibition of aging should delay cancer. But is it possible to slow aging? As recently proposed, the nutrient-sensing TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway is involved in cellular and organismal aging. In rodents, certain conditions that interfere with the TOR pathway slow aging and prevent cancer. Retrospective analysis of clinical data reveals that inhibitors of TOR prevent cancer in humans. This article envisions a potential clinical use of TOR inhibitors in order to slow aging and delay cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Substances

  • Protein Kinases
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Sirolimus