Microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster with intestinal cancer phenotype

Intestinal cancers are highly responsive to their nutrient environment. However, previous studies integrating nutrition into the network of cancer progression are largely inconsistent. We therefore investigated the effects of two dietary regimes on the development of an intestinal stem cell tumor in a Drosophila melanogaster model. While HF dieting did not alter the tumor burden, submission to dietary restriction led to a decline in tumor mass and a partial instauration of gut functionality. Nevertheless, flies submitted to dietary restriction exhibited a drastically reduced lifespan due to substantial loss of body mass. To circumvent these destructive consequences, we applied a nutritional regime consisting of alternating phases of dietary restriction and a fully nutritious diet. Strikingly, the recurrent diet was indeed able to reduce tumor mass and reinstate gut functionality to the same extend as continuous dietary restriction, while restoring the lifespan of tumor-bearing flies back to the level of healthy controls.