Grant: CIHR Fellowship

The concept of "you are what you eat" is well recognized but understudied in cancer research. Our diets play a crucial role in determining cancer risk, as certain foods can either protect against or promote disease progression. Fasting is among the most investigated dietary interventions in oncology, with evidence supporting that fasting improves patient response to chemotherapy. My research has shown that limiting food intake to a 6-hour window each day, known as time-restricted feeding, can significantly reduce the spread of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in animal models of breast cancer. These cells are precursors to metastasis, which is responsible for the great majority of cancer-related deaths. The reduction of CTCs obtained by following a time-restricted feeding regimen improved disease outcome in breast cancer models. As part of this project, I will investigate whether a time-restricted feeding approach can also be applied to help fight prostate and colon cancers. I aim to mimic the effects of time-restricted feeding in preventing metastasis by identifying its molecular targets, which will be targeted using small molecule inhibitors. This groundbreaking study will lead to new therapies and dietary recommendations for patients with prostate and colon cancer.