Scientists Discover Cancer Catalyst – Study Details
Scientists at the Wistar Institute have found that fructose, a common sweetener, promotes the metastasis of ovarian cancer. After chemotherapy, surviving cells release fructose, which acts as a signal for neighboring tumor cells to detach. The mechanism is linked to reduced cholesterol in cell membranes. Statins may have a similar effect. The study was published in Nature Aging.
Scientists at the Wistar Institute have uncovered a previously unknown biochemical chain through which fructose—a common sweetener—promotes the aggressive spread of ovarian cancer cells. The study, published in Nature Aging, showed that after standard treatment with platinum drugs, some cancer cells survive and begin to release fructose. This product serves as a molecular signal for neighboring tumor foci, causing them to detach and form new metastases in the abdominal cavity, which account for about 90% of deaths. A similar process is triggered by high consumption of products with corn syrup or dietary fructose. Using CRISPR genetic screening, the authors detailed the mechanism: fructose reduces cholesterol concentration in the membranes of neighboring cells, weakening the connections between them. Statins, taken by about 39 million Americans, demonstrate a similar effect. Scientists are checking possible risks of statin interaction with chemotherapy but ask patients not to interrupt treatment on their own. The researchers suggest that the mechanism may also be characteristic of other types of abdominal cancer.