Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Opportunities 

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1. Research Summary (Abstract):

2–4 sentences summarizing the research aim, approach, and core findings.

This review highlights the crucial mechanisms that explain the ketogenic diet’s potential antitumor effects. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid background for researchers and physicians to design new combination therapies based on KD and conventional therapies. 

Why is this research important? What problem does it address?

Although cancer is still one of the most significant global challenges facing public health, the world still lacks complementary approaches that would significantly enhance the efficacy of standard anticancer therapies. One of the essential strategies during cancer treatment is following a healthy diet program. The ketogenic diet (KD) has recently emerged as a metabolic therapy in cancer treatment, targeting cancer cell metabolism rather than a conventional dietary approach.

What were the main goals or research questions?

1. Collection and analysis of published data dealing with ketogenic diet and cancer

2. Study the mechanisms of action of ketogenic diet and the targets in cancer cells

3. Analysis of experimental and clinical studies of using ketogenic diet in cancer prevention and therapy

Brief description of the research design, methods, or technologies used.

collection and analysis of published articles to clearly summarize the multiple mechanisms of ketogenic diet as an anticancer agent

List the most important results or discoveries.

1. Ketogenic diet exhibits anti-cancer effects with limited toxicity, low cost, and is easy to apply.

2. Ketogenic diet anticancer activity is mediated by targeting tumor metabolism, the inflammatory process, gene transcription, and the tumor microenvironment.

3. The published data of the preclinical and clinical trials support the use of a ketogenic diet as a preventive and adjuvant cancer therapy

What difference does this research make? Include real-world benefits.

Academic: Studies discussed in this review provide a solid background for researchers and physicians to design new combination therapies based on KD and conventional therapies.

Societal / Economic: the low cost of KD and its high impact in cancer treatment provide an alternative and complimentary treatment of cancer especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Policy / Practice: the use of KD in cancer therapy is growing during the last few years and after the publication of this article. Several investigations, particularly those involving metabolically supported chemotherapy protocols reported prolonged survival outcomes when KD was administered in combination with conventional treatments.

in a case control study, a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer who maintained disease stabilization for over a year under KD combined with chemotherapy.

Source: Sims D, Liman AK, Leung V, Hwang A, Means J, Liman AD. What we have learned about combining a ketogenic diet and chemoimmunotherapy: a case report and review of literature. Fed Pract. (2023) 40:S98–S104. 

Applied Science Private University (Grant No. DRGS-2020-2021-4). 

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