The signaling pathways that mediate the anti-cancer effects of caloric restriction

Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to promote longevity and ameliorate aging-associated diseases, including cancer. Extensive research over recent decades has revealed that CR reduces IGF-1/PI3K/AKT signaling and increases sirtuin signaling. We recently found that CR also enhances ALDOA/DNA-PK/p53 signaling. In the present review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of the IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway, sirtuin signaling, and the ALDOA/DNA-PK/p53 pathway by CR. We also summarize the evidence concerning the roles of these signaling pathways in carcinogenesis, and discuss how they are regulated by CR. Finally, we discuss the crosstalk between these signaling pathways.