Sugar in Food May Help Cancer Cells Spread

Topic: Health

A study found that fructose, a common sugar, helps cancer cells spread. Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered that cancer cells left behind after chemotherapy release molecules, including fructose, which signal nearby cells to spread.

Researchers at The Wistar Institute in the United States have made an unexpected discovery about how cancer cells spread. They found that a common sugar called fructose can help cancer cells break free and move to other parts of the body.

The study focused on ovarian cancer, which is a type of cancer that affects women's reproductive organs. Most patients with this disease receive chemotherapy as their first treatment. However, even after chemotherapy, the cancer often returns and spreads throughout the abdominal cavity. This process is called metastasis, and it causes about 90% of deaths from ovarian cancer.

The researchers wanted to know how cancer cells that survive chemotherapy contribute to the spread of the disease. They developed an experiment where they separated the surviving cells from the substances they released. The team found that these released substances alone could make other cancer cells more likely to spread.

Next, the researchers tried to figure out which substance was causing this effect. They discovered that the surviving cancer cells produced fructose and used it as a signal to encourage neighboring cells to spread. This means that high amounts of dietary fructose can even encourage cancer spread when chemotherapy has not been given.

Why It Matters

This discovery is important because it suggests that our diet may influence how cancer progresses. Fructose is widely consumed in the United States, and reducing its intake through dietary choices might help slow down cancer spread.

Key Facts

• A study by The Wistar Institute found that fructose helps cancer cells spread.
• Ovarian cancer patients often receive chemotherapy, but the disease returns in most cases and spreads throughout the abdominal cavity.
• The researchers discovered that surviving cancer cells release substances, including fructose, which signal nearby cells to spread.
• High amounts of dietary fructose can encourage cancer spread even when chemotherapy has not been given.
• Reducing fructose intake through dietary choices might help slow down cancer spread.

Key Terms

Fructose

A type of sugar found in many foods, including sugary drinks.

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells break free and move to other parts of the body.

Chemotherapy

Treatment that uses medicine to kill cancer cells.

Implications

This discovery is important because it suggests that our diet may influence how cancer progresses. Fructose is widely consumed in the United States, and reducing its intake through dietary choices might help slow down cancer spread.