Glucose deprivation reduces proliferation and motility, and enhances the anti-proliferative effects of paclitaxel and doxorubicin in breast cell lines in vitro.

Our data show that a synergy was obtained by combining paclitaxel and doxorubicin with glucose reduction to inhibit cancer cell growth, which in vivo, might be achieved by applying a carbohydrate-restricted diet during the limited phase of application of chemotherapy; this could permit a dose reduction of the cytotoxic agents, resulting in greater tolerance and lesser side effects.