How Blood Factors in Type 2 Diabetes May Accelerate Breast Cancer Progression

Recent research from Boston University School of Medicine has uncovered a significant link between type 2 diabetes and increased breast cancer severity. The study reveals that specific particles in the blood, called exosomes, which are altered in individuals with diabetes, play a crucial role in modifying immune responses within tumors. These exosomes can reprogram immune cells, weakening their ability to combat cancer and thereby promoting tumor growth and spread.

This groundbreaking work is the first to establish a direct connection between diabetic exosomes and suppressed immune activity in human breast tumors. Using patient-derived organoids—3D tumor models containing the patient's original immune cells—researchers observed how blood exosomes from diabetic individuals influence tumor behavior. The organoids were treated with exosomes from both diabetic and non-diabetic blood samples, and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that diabetic exosomes diminish immune cell effectiveness within the tumor microenvironment.

Dr. Gerald Denis, the lead researcher, emphasized that this discovery provides a potential explanation for why women with type 2 diabetes often experience poorer outcomes in breast cancer treatment. It also sheds light on why immunotherapies may be less effective in these patients. By understanding how diabetes impacts tumor immunity, clinicians can move toward developing more personalized and effective treatments for millions affected by both conditions.

Given that over 120 million Americans are prediabetic or diabetic, this research addresses a major public health concern. It highlights the importance of considering metabolic health in cancer management and suggests new avenues for improving treatment efficacy in diabetic cancer patients.

This study was published in Communications Biology and is available for further reference at source.