A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has found that the glucose-fructose mix commonly found in sugary drinks can directly accelerate the spread of advanced colorectal cancer. This finding challenges the long-held belief that sugar’s link to cancer is solely through its contribution to obesity.
The study, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, compared the effects of
different sugars on laboratory cancer models. Researchers discovered that while glucose or fructose alone did not have a significant effect, the combination of the two made cancer cells more mobile. This increased mobility led to a faster spread of the cancer to the liver, the most frequent site for colorectal cancer to metastasize.
According to Dr. Jihye Yun, a professor of genetics at the university and a member of the research team, this process is driven by the activation of an enzyme called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD). SORD activation boosts glucose metabolism and triggers the cholesterol pathway, which ultimately promotes metastasis. Notably, this is the same pathway targeted by statins, a class of drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol. The study suggests that blocking SORD could be a new way to prevent cancer from spreading.
This research builds on a previous study by Yun’s lab, which showed that even a moderate intake of sugary drinks can directly fuel tumor growth in early-stage colorectal cancer, regardless of a person’s weight. The new findings are particularly relevant for cancer patients, who are often advised to consume high-sugar nutritional supplements. Dr. Yun suggests that current dietary recommendations for these patients may need to be revised to reduce their consumption of sugary drinks. “While these findings need further investigation, they suggest that reducing sugary drinks, targeting SORD, or repurposing statins may benefit patients with colorectal cancer,” Dr. Yun said.
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