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Ketogenic diets as an adjuvant cancer therapy: History and potential mechanism
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Ketogenic diets as an adjuvant cancer therapy: History and potential mechanism

Bryan G Allen, Sudershan K Bhatia, Carryn M Anderson, Julie M Eichenberger-Gilmore, Zita A Sibenaller, Kranti A Mapuskar, Joshua D Schoenfeld, John M Buatti, Douglas R Spitz and Melissa A Fath
Redox biology, Vol.2(1), pp.963-970
2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2014.08.002
PMCID: PMC4215472
PMID: 25460731
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2014.08.002View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Cancer cells, relative to normal cells, demonstrate significant alterations in metabolism that are proposed to result in increased steady-state levels of mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O 2 •− and H 2 O 2 . It has also been proposed that cancer cells increase glucose and hydroperoxide metabolism to compensate for increased levels of ROS. Given this theoretical construct, it is reasonable to propose that forcing cancer cells to use mitochondrial oxidative metabolism by feeding ketogenic diets that are high in fats and low in glucose and other carbohydrates, would selectively cause metabolic oxidative stress in cancer versus normal cells. Increased metabolic oxidative stress in cancer cells would in turn be predicted to selectively sensitize cancer cells to conventional radiation and chemotherapies. This review summarizes the evidence supporting the hypothesis that ketogenic diets may be safely used as an adjuvant therapy to conventional radiation and chemotherapies and discusses the proposed mechanisms by which ketogenic diets may enhance cancer cell therapeutic responses.
Oxidative stress Review Cancer therapy Ketogenic diet

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