Sugary Drinks May Promote Metastasis in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

A recent study conducted by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center highlights a significant link between sugary beverage consumption and the progression of advanced colorectal cancer. The investigation revealed that the glucose-fructose mixture commonly found in soft drinks directly fuels the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, such as the liver, which is the most frequent site of metastasis in colorectal cancer patients.

Conducted using laboratory cancer models, the study compared the effects of the sugar mix with independent glucose or fructose. It was observed that only the combination heightened the mobility of cancer cells, facilitating faster dissemination. The sugar blend activates an enzyme called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), which enhances glucose metabolism and triggers cholesterol production pathways—both essential for cancer metastasis. Importantly, inhibiting SORD slowed down this metastatic process, suggesting that targeting this enzyme could provide new therapeutic options.

Dr. Jihye Yun, the lead researcher, emphasized that diet plays a crucial role not just in cancer risk but also in disease progression. The findings imply that reducing intake of sugary drinks, along with exploring SORD inhibitors or repurposing existing medications like statins, could potentially help prevent or limit metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. This research underscores the importance of dietary modifications and targeted therapies in managing advanced cancer.

Additional insights from the Yun Laboratory indicate that diet profoundly impacts intestinal health and cancer development. Previous research by the team demonstrated that even moderate consumption of sugary beverages could promote tumor growth in early-stage colorectal cancer, independent of obesity. The current study extends this understanding, focusing on late-stage disease and its progression.

Given the widespread consumption of sugary drinks and their widespread presence in nutritional supplements and concentrated fruit juices consumed by cancer patients, these findings call for reconsideration of dietary recommendations. Further clinical investigations are necessary to confirm these results in humans, but the evidence suggests that cutting back on sugary beverages and targeting metabolic pathways like SORD may offer promising strategies to reduce cancer metastasis.

Source: Medical Xpress