[Role of amino acids in the host-tumor relationship. Physiopathological and therapeutic aspects].

Cancer frequently leads to malnutrition resulting from reduced food intake and hypermetabolism, both induced by cytokine-like factors. There is thus a competition between the host and the tumor for utilization of nutrients such as certain amino acids. These data lead to two possible therapeutic strategies. The first consists in depleting the organism of certain amino acids such as methionine and glutamine. The result is a reduction in tumor growth, but also a deleterious effect on the host. The second is to provide diets enriched in amino acids stimulating the host immune system (i.e. glutamine, arginine, ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate). This approach has given interesting results in experimental models as well as in cancer patients.