Autophagy and cancer

[Purple-Bike]

Autophagy, typically achieved by 2 - 4 days of fasting, appears to have a dual role in cancer progression. During the early stage of cancer, autophagy plays a protective role to suppress malignant transformation. However, in the established tumour, autophagy supports and enhances tumour growth. From "Is targeting autophagy mechanism in cancer a good approach? The possible double-edge sword effect" by Su Min Lim et al, Cell & Bioscience volume 11, 2021.

A member on this forum once reported on nil effect on PCa markerfrom a long fast, if I recall correctly a month or longer. Perhaps he was in the middle of the double-edge sword effect...

Another study in a similar vein

Front. Oncol., 07 October 2020 | doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.5...

"The Double-Edge Sword of Autophagy in Cancer: From Tumor Suppression to Pro-tumor Activity"

Having mHSPC apparently currently senescent, I dare not try figure out where I am on the tumour suppression/enhancement continuum. My single met was spot radiated and presumably I am now micro-metastatic; how advanced am I on the scale? In the absence of more targeted data or if somebody on this forum can give quality input, I will refrain from the 72-hour fasts recommended for autophagy, despite their promising anti-aging effect and possible preventive action against new cancer. I will stick to my 19-20 hour daily fasts, with quite modest, if any, autophagy.

[timotur]

PB: thanks for posting, very well written study and brings up some good points about the transition to a metastatic condition. One thing I've learned reading these studies is-- in a hypoxic environment, PCa goes looking for an oxygen rich environment. That's why I think it's beneficial to stay active and keep oxygen flowing to the tumor environment so that it doesn't look to metastasize.

From the article: In advanced stages of tumor development, the hypoxic, and starvation conditions generate signals promoting tumor invasion and metastasis. Autophagy helps cells evade anoikis and promote focal adhesion turnover favoring cell motility and metastasis. Additionally, autophagy serves as an immune evasion strategy in cancer advanced stages

[Purple-Bike in reply to timotur]

Well chosen excerpt "In advanced stages of tumor development, the hypoxic, and starvation conditions generate signals promoting tumor invasion and metastasis".

[Purple-Bike in reply to timotur]

PS timotur: Thanks to your comment I caught on to the hypoxic part. So exercising can be expected to provide oxygen to the tumor environment. Perhaps high-intensity exercise gives an even greater boost... ? If so gives an added impetus to lengthen and intensify my HIIT at the gym.... making maximal effort when biking uphill the steep slopes prevalent where I live.

[timotur in reply to Purple-Bike]

PB: read your bio, quite impressive regimen with your diet and exercise. I think you will benefit from HIIT and OMAD in a couple of ways— keeping your insulin levels in check and avoiding hypoxia around the tumor—which being a runner/tennis player myself, may have helped prevent mets at initial PSA of 29. If not already, consider MCP as a supplement, and keep an eye on future BRAC2 trials. You’re on the right path!

[Mascouche]

I do not know if you were referring to me about the long fast or not but I did a 18 days long water fast after my diagnostic and before my SOC. The long fast made me feel wonderful as it rejuvenated me (no more allergies, joint pain, etc...). However in my case, I did not see either an impact to my PSA, positive or negative. It had been climbing before the fast and it had kept climbing after the fast. I can't wait to perform another long fast once my ADT treatment is over because the combination of prednisone and ADT has made me feel so old.

[Purple-Bike in reply to Mascouche]

Sounds like a long fast will be great for you. And no negative effects re the cancer, so you only have to gain.I have been itching to do 72-hour fasts, for autophagy, but hardly dare even though I suspect the dangerous effects for PC are not valid for me, both because it is apparently senescent now and because 72 hours isn´t that long.

[Seasid in reply to Purple-Bike]

i was told by my registra not to do a longer than 3 days fast as after 3 days of fast it is dangerous because of the electrolytes imbalance.

she recommended the 12 hours per day instead

[Purple-Bike]

I continue with my circa 19-hour daily fasts, feeling good on it. have a high bar going to sleep hungry and with the benefits of longer fasting for PCa not being clearcut, I will refrain from it unless seeing new evidence for benefits.

[Seasid in reply to Purple-Bike]

problem is that your glucose and insulin can pick much higher if you squeeze all your meals into a 5 hours window. My registra was Canadian and her name was Misha. Ukrainian and Austrian heretige.