First name
Maira
Last name
Di Tano
Year of Study
Research Center
Thesis Title
Fasting-mimicking diet-based non-toxic combination therapy in cancer treatment: from molecules to bedside
Thesis Abstract
Fasting and fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) were shown to delay tumor progression and sensitize a wide range of tumor types to the toxic effect of chemotherapy, while protecting normal cells, through a mechanism that can involve the lowering of IGF-1 and glucose levels.
In my thesis, I have focused my studies on the identification of non-toxic, but effective interventions for cancer treatment. For this purpose, I evaluated the effect of FMD on the highly aggressive KRAS mutant colorectal cancer, which is one of the most widespread and lethal cancer in the western world.
Throughout my studies, I identified a FMD-based non-toxic intervention, in which FMD cycles are combined with a non-toxic compound, for the treatment of KRAS mutant cancers. I found that the FMD-based combo therapy is able to selectively kill KRAS mutant tumor cells, while leaving unaffected KRAS wild type cancer cells and normal cells. Moreover, the combinative treatment results to be safe and effective also in in vivo mouse models, reducing tumor progression in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice. I also provide evidence for the mechanism explaining the synergistic effect of FMD and the selected non-toxic compound. In addition, my results indicate that this combo therapy enhances chemotherapy efficacy in KRAS-driven CRC mouse models, thus representing a promising therapeutic option, which can be hopefully translated into the clinic.
In my thesis, I have focused my studies on the identification of non-toxic, but effective interventions for cancer treatment. For this purpose, I evaluated the effect of FMD on the highly aggressive KRAS mutant colorectal cancer, which is one of the most widespread and lethal cancer in the western world.
Throughout my studies, I identified a FMD-based non-toxic intervention, in which FMD cycles are combined with a non-toxic compound, for the treatment of KRAS mutant cancers. I found that the FMD-based combo therapy is able to selectively kill KRAS mutant tumor cells, while leaving unaffected KRAS wild type cancer cells and normal cells. Moreover, the combinative treatment results to be safe and effective also in in vivo mouse models, reducing tumor progression in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice. I also provide evidence for the mechanism explaining the synergistic effect of FMD and the selected non-toxic compound. In addition, my results indicate that this combo therapy enhances chemotherapy efficacy in KRAS-driven CRC mouse models, thus representing a promising therapeutic option, which can be hopefully translated into the clinic.
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