A common sugar may help cancer cells break free and spread

A research study from The Wistar Institute has discovered a surprising link between fructose, a common dietary sugar, and the spread of aggressive ovarian cancer. The study, published in Nature Aging, indicates that cancer cells that persist after chemotherapy can communicate with nearby tumor cells, causing them to spread more readily.

This communication occurs through the release of fructose, a molecule that acts as a signal to nearby cells. Dr. Aidan Cole, the study's lead author, explained that even though these surviving cancer cells are no longer dividing, they continue to release molecules that send signals to surrounding cells. The research, which could have significant implications for cancer treatment and prevention, is among the first to demonstrate that a nutrient—fructose—can function as a signaling molecule.

Nearly all ovarian cancer patients undergo platinum-based chemotherapy, but most cancers recur and spread within the abdominal cavity, accounting for about 90% of deaths. Previous studies have suggested that surviving chemotherapy cells may contribute to recurrence by releasing various signaling molecules. To explore this idea, Dr. Cole and his team separated the released substances from the surviving cells and exposed other cancer cells to these substances.

The mere presence of these substances alone was sufficient to significantly increase the cancer cells' ability to spread. The team identified fructose as the specific molecule responsible for this effect. Additionally, they found that high levels of dietary fructose—similar to what is found in sugary drinks—can promote cancer spread, even in the absence of chemotherapy.

This finding suggests that dietary habits may influence the progression of cancer. While the study did not test whether reducing fructose intake could improve patient outcomes, the results indicate that nutrition may play a more significant role in cancer progression than previously thought. The researchers are now investigating whether lowering fructose consumption could enhance cancer treatment outcomes.

Furthermore, the discovery that fructose lowers cholesterol production within neighboring cancer cells provides a potential explanation for how this common nutrient can alter the physical behavior of tumor cells, making them more likely to separate and spread. Statins, medications commonly used to lower cholesterol, were found to weaken the connections between cancer cells and facilitate their spread.

The researchers are exploring whether statins could be used in combination with chemotherapy to counteract the effects of fructose on metastasis. However, they stress that these findings should not influence patients' decisions regarding their prescribed medications. The study also suggests that the fructose-related pathway may play a role in other cancers beyond ovarian cancer, including pancreatic, colon, and liver cancers.

The researchers plan to conduct further studies to determine if these findings can be replicated in various types of cancer.