New research has shed light on the intricate relationship between dietary sugar, particularly fructose, and its role in fueling tumor growth. A nine-year study, primarily from Washington University in St. Louis, reveals that while cancer cells don’t directly consume fructose, the liver metabolizes it into lipids that cancer cells readily absorb for rapid proliferation. This discovery offers crucial insights into potential new avenues for cancer treatment and prevention.
Key Takeaways
- Fructose, especially from high-fructose corn syrup, significantly accelerates tumor growth in animal models of various cancers.
- Cancer cells do not directly metabolize fructose; instead, the liver converts it into lipids (specifically lysophosphatidylcholines or LPCs) which cancer cells then utilize.
- These lipids are essential building blocks for cell membranes, crucial for the rapid division and growth characteristic of cancer cells.
- The study highlights the importance of understanding the complex metabolic interactions between healthy organs and cancer cells.
- The findings suggest potential therapeutic strategies, such as drugs that block the liver’s fructose metabolism, to slow tumor growth.
The Indirect Link: Fructose, Liver, and Tumor Growth
For decades, scientists have known that cancer cells have a high affinity for glucose. However, the role of fructose, a chemically similar sugar, in cancer progression has been less clear. The recent study, published in Nature, found that dietary fructose dramatically promoted tumor growth in models of melanoma, breast, and cervical cancer, even without affecting body weight or blood sugar levels.
Surprisingly, the research revealed that tumor cells themselves barely metabolized fructose. The key player was the liver. Using advanced metabolomics, scientists discovered that the liver converts fructose into various lipids, particularly lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs). These LPCs are then secreted into the bloodstream and readily taken up by cancer cells.
Why Lipids Are Crucial for Cancer Cells
Cancer cells are characterized by their uncontrolled proliferation, requiring a substantial amount of lipids to build new cell membranes with each division. While cells can synthesize lipids, it’s far more efficient for rapidly dividing cancer cells to absorb them from their environment. LPCs, being soluble in blood, provide an effective and efficient way for tumors to acquire these necessary building blocks.
The Rise of Fructose Consumption and Cancer Incidence
The study points out a concerning correlation: the dramatic increase in fructose consumption over the past five decades, largely due to high-fructose corn syrup in processed foods, coincides with a rise in certain cancers among younger populations. A century ago, average fructose intake was minimal, but today it’s significantly higher, found in a vast array of products from sodas to pasta sauces.
Future Implications for Treatment and Prevention
This research opens new doors for cancer treatment. Instead of solely targeting cancer cells, interventions could focus on altering the metabolism of healthy cells, like liver cells, to deprive tumors of essential nutrients. Early studies in mice showed that a drug blocking the enzyme responsible for fructose metabolism in the liver significantly slowed tumor growth. Researchers are now exploring clinical trials to investigate these findings in human patients.
While the study doesn’t advocate for eliminating all fructose, especially from whole fruits and vegetables which are metabolized differently, it underscores the potential benefits of reducing intake of processed foods high in added fructose for individuals with cancer or those at risk.
Sources
- Research reveals how fructose in diet enhances tumor growth – The Source, WashU.
- Fructose Sugar Fuels Cancer Growth Indirectly, National Cancer Institute (.gov).
- A Nine-Year Collaboration Has Just Shown How Sugar Influences Cancer Cell Growth : ScienceAlert, ScienceAlert.
- Hazy Cancer–Sugar Association Becomes Clearer, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
- Sugar causes cancer cells to multiply, study says, AJC.com.