Protein restriction and cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2018 Apr;1869(2):256-262. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Abstract

Protein restriction without malnutrition is currently an effective nutritional intervention known to prevent diseases and promote health span from yeast to human. Recently, low protein diets are reported to be associated with lowered cancer incidence and mortality risk of cancers in human. In murine models, protein restriction inhibits tumor growth via mTOR signaling pathway. IGF-1, amino acid metabolic programing, FGF21, and autophagy may also serve as potential mechanisms of protein restriction mediated cancer prevention. Together, dietary intervention aimed at reducing protein intake can be beneficial and has the potential to be widely adopted and effective in preventing and treating cancers.

Keywords: Amino acid; Autophagy; Cancer; FGF21; IGF-1; Protein restriction; mTOR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted*
  • Dietary Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / diet therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Dietary Proteins
  • IGF1 protein, human
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases