Removing the amino acid tryptophan from the diet helped stop the growth of liver cancer in mice. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communication.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Once diagnosed with this tumor, only 30% of patients will survive more than five years.
In a new study, scientists found that tumor growth requires the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into indole-3-pyruvate (I3P) in the body.
They removed foods containing tryptophan from the diets of mice with liver cancer. This slowed tumor growth without affecting other aspects of the animals’ health. Since tryptophan is one of the rarest amino acids in animal proteins, it should be safe for people with cancer to avoid it. But future studies need to confirm this.
Foods rich in tryptophan include turkey, red meat, pork, chicken, tofu, dairy, soybeans (including edamame), quinoa, oats and fish.
Scientists also believe that drugs that target I3P could be used instead of dietary intervention.
Earlier scientists prevented Cancer development in mice receiving antibiotics.