Cancer Diet: New Hope in Amino Acid Starvation

A revolutionary approach to cancer treatment is being tested, focusing on restricting dietary amino acids arginine and proline, which are abundant in protein-rich foods. Research in mice with neuroblastoma indicated that removing these compounds made tumors less aggressive. Combining this dietary change with a drug that suppresses polyamines, which cancer cells use to multiply, doubled survival rates in mice.

For adult patients, a drug called pegargiminase, which removes arginine from the blood, has shown promise. In a major trial for mesothelioma, adding this drug to standard chemotherapy extended survival and quadrupled three-year survival rates. This method targets cancers that rely on external arginine, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

While dietary changes alone are cautioned against due to potential harm and the body's ability to synthesize arginine, the concept of targeting cancer metabolism is gaining traction. Human trials are planned for next year to explore drug-based amino acid restriction, offering a potential new frontier in precision health for treating certain cancers.