Journal of Contemporary Studies on Religion and Science (JCSRS)
The Emerging Role of Fasting in Cancer Treatment,
Document Type : Original Article
Abstract
Fasting-based dietary interventions have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies. They show efficacy in weight control, metabolic regulation, and gastrointestinal health. Growing preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that these regimens may influence cancer outcomes by altering tumor metabolism, enhancing treatment efficacy, and reducing therapy-related toxicity. This review critically evaluates current research on fasting mechanisms and their applications in cancer prevention and treatment. Most existing protocols differ from the specific structure of Islamic fasting, highlighting the need for rigorous assessment of its unique physiological features. Fasting affects several oncogenic pathways through metabolic reprogramming, immune modulation, and cellular stress responses. Preliminary studies suggest synergistic effects when fasting is combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy. However, evidence remains inconsistent across cancer types. Major challenges include the lack of standardized protocols, limited criteria for patient selection, and insufficient data on long-term safety. Significant knowledge gaps persist and require well-designed randomized controlled trials. We propose a translational research framework to systematically study fasting in oncology. This approach emphasizes protocol standardization, biomarker-based mechanisms, and personalized designs guided by tumor biology and patient characteristics. Overall, fasting shows strong potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy, while key areas for future investigation must be addressed to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines.
