Groundbreaking research reveals that fasting may significantly boost the immune system’s ability to combat cancer. A recent study, primarily conducted on mice, demonstrates that periods of fasting reprogram natural killer (NK) cells, enhancing their survival and effectiveness in targeting cancerous cells. This discovery opens new avenues for adjunct cancer therapies and highlights the potential of dietary interventions.
Fasting’s Impact On Natural Killer Cells
Natural killer (NK) cells are vital white blood cells that identify and destroy abnormal cells, including those infected with viruses and cancer cells. The recent study, published in the journal Immunity, found that fasting profoundly affects these cells:
- Metabolic Reprogramming: Fasting causes NK cells to shift their energy source from glucose to fatty acids. This metabolic adaptation is crucial because tumor microenvironments are often rich in lipids, allowing these reprogrammed NK cells to survive and function more effectively within the hostile tumor environment.
- Relocation and Priming: Fasting also prompts NK cells to relocate, particularly to the bone marrow. Here, they are exposed to high levels of Interleukin-12, a signaling protein that primes them to produce more Interferon-gamma, a potent anti-tumor cytokine.
The Science Behind The Shift
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) observed that mice with cancer, when fasted for 24 hours twice a week, experienced a drop in glucose and a rise in free fatty acids. This metabolic change trained their NK cells to utilize fatty acids as an alternative fuel. Joseph Sun, an immunologist and co-corresponding author of the study, noted that this reprogramming allows NK cells to “better survive in this suppressive environment” created by tumors.
Potential Clinical Applications
While the current findings are based on mouse models, the implications for human cancer treatment are significant. The research suggests several potential applications:
- Adjunct Therapy: Fasting could serve as an adjunct to existing cancer treatments, potentially making immunotherapies more effective.
- Drug Development: The study may lead to the identification of drugs that mimic the beneficial effects of fasting without requiring patients to fast.
- Ex Vivo Treatment: Another possibility involves collecting NK cells from a fasted state, priming them outside the body, and then re-administering them as a supplementary treatment.
Important Considerations
Despite the promising results, experts caution that more human clinical data is needed. Neil Iyengar, a breast cancer specialist at MSK not involved in the study, emphasizes that different types of fasting exist, and some may be harmful. Patients are strongly advised to consult their doctors before attempting any fasting regimen, especially those undergoing cancer treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Fasting reprograms natural killer cells to better fight cancer by enabling them to use fatty acids as fuel and enhancing their anti-tumor cytokine production.
- This metabolic shift allows NK cells to survive and operate more effectively within the lipid-rich tumor microenvironment.
- The research, primarily in mice, suggests fasting could be a valuable adjunct to current cancer therapies or inspire new drug developments.
- Further human studies are crucial, and patients should consult healthcare professionals before incorporating fasting into their treatment plans.
Sources
- Fasting supercharges the cancer-killing properties of immune cells, New Atlas.
- Fasting Primes the Immune System’s Natural Killer Cells to Better Fight Cancer, New Study in Mice Finds |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. - Can fasting reduce your risk for cancer? New study says yes | Health News, The Indian Express.
- Fasting-like diet turns the immune system against cancer, USC Today.
- Faith, fasting and fighting cancer: What recent studies reveal, Al Hakam.