Fasting-based dietary interventions have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, demonstrating efficacy in weight management, metabolic regulation, and gastrointestinal health. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence suggests these regimens may significantly impact oncological outcomes by modulating tumor metabolism, enhancing treatment efficacy, and reducing therapy-associated toxicity. This comprehensive review critically evaluates contemporary research on fasting mechanisms and their potential applications in cancer prevention and treatment. Notably, most studied protocols diverge from the specifics of Islamic fasting, highlighting the need for rigorous evaluation of its unique features. Our analysis reveals that fasting influences multiple oncogenic pathways through metabolic reprogramming, immune modulation, and cellular stress responses. While preliminary data indicate synergistic effects when combining fasting with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies, the evidence remains heterogeneous across cancer types. Key challenges include protocol standardization, patient selection criteria, and long-term safety assessment. The review identifies significant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed through well-designed randomized controlled trials. We propose a translational research framework to systematically investigate fasting protocols in oncology, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches based on tumor biology and patient characteristics. These findings underscore the potential of fasting as an adjuvant cancer therapy, while highlighting critical areas for future investigation to establish evidence-based clinical guidelines.

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