The role of nutritional restriction in the pathogenesis of malignant tumors

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Cancer incidence is growing, and it may be associated with longer life expectancy that leads to higher risk of cancer development. Metabolic changes are among the most important aspects of the tumor progression, which appear both in the tumor cells themselves and in the tumor microenvironment, affecting later the entire organism as a whole. Abnormal metabolism of tumor cells, including activation of aerobic glycolysis and enhancement of anabolic pathways, is important in metastasizing, medical drug resistance, and in the implementation of tumor stem cell viability programs [2]. In this context, a priority is given to studies aimed at the inhibition of enzymes of metabolic processes by small molecules or some exogenous factors. Overcoming metabolic plasticity is one of the strategic goals in anticancer therapy [3].