Improper Nutrition can lead to Cancer- Possible or not?

Agrima Bhatt, Rajasthan University

Oncological sciences have moved far in terms of research and development, leading to many novel therapies currently in use. Despite research on tumors and their causes, cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The most popular approach to cancer treatment has been chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These approaches are not only expensive but also take a huge amount of patient’s strength and willpower to test. 

Since therapeutic approaches for cancer are limited and often costly, scientists are keen to research more on its treatment. In the pharmaceutical department, many oncological drugs have made their way to the front. But these drugs fail to last long against the later clinical trials in cancer. Phases II and III of clinical trials have shown no affinity to such oncological drugs. 

Another important “biological” aspect to oncology has been investigated by scientists. Recently, people with disturbed circadian cycles or biological clocks have been shown to have cancer or some association with tumors. For the improvement in cancer treatments to occur, we need to understand such variables associated with individuals. 

What is a Chronotype?

Chronotype in simpler terms is a person’s ability to determine the daily rhythm of his/her life whether behavioral or biological also known as circadian rhythm. This chronotype is often responsible in patients for the difference in oncological drug activity. Due to the difference or irregularity in circadian rhythm, the effectiveness of drugs often gets compromised. Mainly there are three categories of chronotype- morning, evening, and intermediate. Morning chronotypes as suggested by the name are generally punctual whereas evening chronotypes are usually late in their daily meals. Evening chronotype people are more prone to cancer and other health problems such as mental disorders and gastrointestinal problems. This type of chronotype has been specified to be a risk factor for cancer. 

Chronotype association with GEP-NET 

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) originate from neuroendocrine cells. These tumors get dispersed throughout the body and often get diagnosed when already in an advanced stage. GEP-NET has a complex clinical approach making it difficult to diagnose and treat. Thus the patients encountering such a disease requires an integrated multidisciplinary approach where nutrition remains an integral part. 

Oncology study states that proper nutrition, consumption of healthy food, and daily proper diet remain the number one strategy to avoid cancer. Thus, scientists have taken a further interest in “Chrono nutrition”. This is the relationship of patients with their circadian clock and dietary needs. To study further into this, scientists prepared a data study where 109 GEP-NET patients and 109 healthy volunteers were involved in this experimentation. In all these participants, different chronotypes were studied in reference to GEP-NET. It was recorded that in GEP-NET patients, more people of evening chronotype were present. These patients suffered from metastasis of tumors, progressive disease, and a very unhealthy lifestyle. Thus, from this study, we can conclude that along with nutrition, genetic and environmental factors also contribute and influence the distribution of chronotypes. 

This study is of utmost importance as people with GEP-NET associated with evening chronotype are more prone to aggressive tumors in the future. 

Also read: Can Vitamin C intake add to cancer risk?

Reference:

1. Barrea, L., Muscogiuri, G., Pugliese, G., Modica, R., Laudisio, D., Aprano, S., Faggiano, A., Colao, A., & Savastano, S. (2021). Chronotype: What role in the context of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors? Journal of Translational Medicine, 19(1), 324. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-03010-1

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Author’s info

Agrima Bhatt is an undergraduate student studying BSc. Biotechnology in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She is a science and research enthusiast who also loves to write articles and short snippets.

Some of her published articles at BioXone are:

1. https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/molecular-mechanisms-underlying-virescent-mutation-in-cotton/
2. https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/multi-angle-projection-microscope-a-novel-imaging-technique/
3. https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/scientists-develop-novel-cholera-vaccine-from-rice-grains/
4. https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/ai-predicts-the-relation-between-viruses-and-mammals/