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Abstract Details
Is Fasting Good When One Is at Risk of Liver Cancer?
Cancers (Basel). 2022 Oct 17;14(20):5084. doi: 10.3390/cancers14205084.
1Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Octavian Fodor, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
23rd Medical Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Hatieganu, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
3Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is a multistep process that usually develops in the background of cirrhosis, but also in a non-cirrhotic state in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or viral hepatis. Emerging evidence suggests that intermittent fasting can reduce the risk of cancer development and could improve response and tolerance to treatment through the metabolic and hormonal adaptations induced by the low energy availability that finally impairs cancer cells' adaptability, survival and growth. The current review will outline the beneficial effects of fasting in NAFLD/NASH patients and the possible mechanisms that can prevent HCC development, including circadian clock re-synchronization, with a special focus on the possibility of applying this dietary intervention to cirrhotic patients.