Prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging

Abstract

Aging is associated with cancer, in particular with breast, prostate, colon, lung, stomach, bladder and skin cancer. This article discusses how aging predisposes one to cancer. In principle, inhibition of aging should delay cancer. But is it possible to slow aging? As recently proposed, the nutrient-sensing TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway is involved in cellular and organismal aging. In rodents, certain conditions that interfere with the TOR pathway slow aging and prevent cancer. Retrospective analysis of clinical data reveals that inhibitors of TOR prevent cancer in humans. This article envisions a potential clinical use of TOR inhibitors in order to slow aging and delay cancer. ©2008 Landes Bioscience.