Malfunctioning Autophagy Leads to Prostate Cancer

The inability of a cell to take out the trash is likely a common theme behind many cancers. Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center have shown for the first time how the deactivation of the SIRT1 gene¹ causes trash removal to go on the blink and prostate cancer to kick into gear.

SIRT1 is known as the longevity gene, activated by eating less food and/or taking nutrients like resveratrol and fisetin². While resveratrol has gotten the most press in the anti-aging arena over the past few years, fisetin is now widely seen as a potent preserver of your brain. Interestingly, there is considerable scientific interest in the use of resveratrol, fisetin, and other natural substances to prevent and help treat prostate cancer³.

The cell’s natural trash removal and recycling operation is governed by the process called autophagy. If the SIRT1 gene is blunted then trash builds up and cancer genes are activated. In normal operation autophagy not only cleans trash but also keeps up with extra trash from increased stress. SIRT1 is easily turned off by eating too much – in turn forcing cells to deal with excess calories while the clean-up crew is on strike. It is little wonder that obesity is associated with higher rates of breast and prostate cancer.

It is also interesting that SIRT1 activating nutrients seem to possess intelligence. For example, if a cell gets overwhelmed from damage, then cancer is more likely to occur. From a cell’s point of view, this is like being hijacked. If such a hijacking occurs, then the cancer now in charge tries to use the autophagy system to defend itself from the immune system and drug treatments. Fisetin⁴ has been shown to prevent this hijacking of autophagy. Instead using autophagy to dissolve a cancer cell completely so that it is no longer a problem to the rest of the body. Fisetin’s first choice would be to help keep the cell healthy via SIRT1 activation.

Gene science is proving that the power of nutrition sustains health and combats disease.