Fasting-mimicking diet remodels gut microbiota and suppresses colorectal cancer progression

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Violet

The progression of colorectal cancer is linked to diet, and fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) offers a calorie-restricted intervention with anti-cancer potential. In a mouse study, 4-day cyclic FMD was evaluated using immune profiling, microbiota composition analysis, and anti-PD-1 treatment. FMD cycles suppressed colorectal tumor growth, reduced proliferation and angiogenesis, increased tumor-infiltration lymphocytes, and enhanced protective gut microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus johnsonii supplementation and combined FMD with anti-PD-1 further inhibited CRC progression.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Colorectal cancer and diet

FMD as an anti-cancer intervention

Role of gut microbiota in immune responses

Study design and objectives

Immune profiling and microbiota analysis

Synergy with immunotherapy

Results

FMD suppresses colorectal tumorigenesis

npj | bioﬁlms and microbiomes Article | Published in partnership with Nanyang Technological University | | | | --- | --- | --- | | [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00520-w](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00520-w) | | | | Fasting-mimicking diet remodels gut microbiota and suppresses colorectal cancer progression
Check for updates | | | | Man Luo1,6, Qingyi Wang2,3,6, Yong Sun2,4,6, Yao Jiang2,4, Qiwen Wang2,3, Yanrou Gu5, Zhefang Hu1, Qianyi Chen1, Jilei Xu3, Shujie Chen 3, Tongyao Hou 3 & Lijun Feng 1 | | | | The progression of colorectal cancer is closely associated with diet. Fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) is a promising type of dietary intervention that have beneﬁcial effects in the prevention and treatment of various cancers. We investigated the therapeutic effect of 4-day FMD against colorectal cancer in mice through immune cell analysis, microbiota composition analysis and anti-PD-1 treatment. These FMD cycles effectively suppressed colorectal cancer growth, reduced cell proliferation and angiogenesis, increased tumor-inﬁltration lymphocytes especially CD8+T cells. FMD stimulated protective gut microbiota, especially Lactobacillus. Supplementation of Lactobacillus johnsonii induced similar results as FMD intervention, which also suppressed tumor growth and increased CD45+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, FMD synthesizing with anti-PD-1 therapy effectively inhibited CRC progression. These ﬁndings suggest that Lactobacillus.johnsonii is necessary for the anticancer process of FMD in CRC. FMD through its effects on both gut microbiota and immune system, effectively suppressed colorectal cancer progression in mouse model. | | | | Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy of the digestive system. According to Colorectal cancer statistics 20231, CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and the third leading cause of cancer deaths. The etiology of CRC involves both genetic and environmental factors. Modiﬁable lifestyle factors, especially dietary patterns are highly associated with the occurrence and progression ofCRC2.
Tumor cells require elevated energy and nutrients for their rapid growth. Indeed, reduction in certain nutrients effectively regulates their proliferation. Calorie restriction or water-only fasting, promotes anti-tumor effect in various cancers, however, its clinical application faces challenges due to low adherence and acceptability3. Recently, A plant-based, calorie restricted fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) has been developed to stimulate similar physiological responses offasting, while providing calorie and nutrients, thus, more feasible for patients to adhere4. Fasting or FMD suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer, characterized by heightened cell apoptosis and suppression of aerobic glycolysis5–7. Beyond its role in modulating tumor cell metabolism, FMD is also recognized as a promising anti-cancer agent due to its potential to reshape the immune response in cancer6,8,9. Recently, FMD have shown to boost antitumor immune responses by inhibiting the class switching of B cells to IgA, thereby stimulating antitumor immunity and | suppressing colorectal cancer progression10. In various tumor-bearing mouse models, combining FMD with other treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy therapy, exhibited enhanced, synergistic therapeutic effects11, 12. FMD combining with chemotherapy elevates level of common lymphoid progenitor cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in bone marrow, which signiﬁcantly impeded the progression of breast and melanoma cancers11. However, the comprehensive understanding of the anti-cancer immune responses elicited by FMD and the effect of their integration with immunotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer remains unclear.
Gut microbiota as a major regulator for immune reactions, responds rapidly to dietary change13. Fasting can inﬂuence the gut microbiota’s composition and function, enhancing its beneﬁcialinteraction with th

FAQs

What is fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) and why is it relevant to colorectal cancer?

FMD is a plant-based, calorie-restricted diet designed to mimic physiological responses of fasting while providing calories and nutrients. It is relevant because dietary patterns influence CRC occurrence and progression and FMD has been associated with anti-tumor effects.

How does FMD affect tumor growth and the immune environment in the study?

Cyclic 4-day FMD suppressed colorectal cancer growth, reduced cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and increased tumor-infiltration lymphocytes, especially CD8+ T cells.

What role does Lactobacillus johnsonii play in FMD’s anti-cancer effects?

FMD stimulated protective gut microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus. Supplementing Lactobacillus johnsonii produced similar anti-tumor outcomes, including tumor growth suppression and increased CD45+ and CD8+ T cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Violet