Methionine\u00a0restriction (MR) has shown significant promise in cancer therapy because it targets the unique methionine dependency of many tumors. However, despite extensive research on MR, a clear synthesis of preclinical findings and their translation into clinical settings is lacking. This review aims to address this gap by consolidating existing evidence, identifying challenges, and highlighting opportunities for advancing MR as a viable cancer treatment strategy.<\/p>\n
Preclinical studies\u00a0have revealed that MR effectively hinders cancer\u00a0cell proliferation, triggers\u00a0cell cycle arrest, and enhances the effectiveness of standard treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Mechanistically, MR disrupts critical cancer pathways by influencing epigenetic regulation, redox balance, and autophagy. Moreover,\u00a0animal models\u00a0have demonstrated notable tumor suppression and extended survival, underscoring the therapeutic potential of MR.<\/p>\n
Early-phase\u00a0clinical trials\u00a0are now examining MR in combination with established therapies, reporting positive preliminary results regarding safety and\u00a0tolerability, and investigating biomarkers for predicting patient responsiveness. These findings suggest the utility of MR as a complementary treatment strategy, particularly for tumors resistant to conventional therapies. The outcomes of this study underscore the importance of further research to refine MR protocols, understand long-term effects, and identify optimal patient groups.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, combining MR with\u00a0immunotherapies,\u00a0targeted treatments, and advanced modalities such as\u00a0chimeric antigen<\/a> receptor\u00a0(CAR)-T cell<\/a> therapy may offer new therapeutic pathways. Additionally, the development of MR-mimetic drugs and targeted supplements can improve patient compliance and broaden the therapeutic applicability of MR.<\/p>\n Large-scale\u00a0clinical trials\u00a0are essential to evaluate the efficacy of<\/a> MR across diverse\u00a0cancer types, focusing on sustainability and safety over extended periods. If successful, MR can transform cancer therapy by exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells, providing a novel and less toxic treatment option for challenging\u00a0malignancies.<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.<\/a><\/p>\n Journal reference:<\/p>\n