Stopping cancer cells from accessing fat can improve certain types of cancer treatment, a new study has revealed.
Latest research from Van Andel Institute in Michigan has suggested that cutting off cancer cells’ access to fat can help anti-cancer medications better kill malignant cells.
Lead author Dr Evan Lien said: “We want to make cancer treatment more effective.”
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“The best way to do this is by understanding how cancer cells behave and identifying ways to break through their defences.”
“Our findings are an important step toward evidence-based diets that could one day augment existing therapies.”
Cancer cells steal resources like fats in a bid to accelerate the growth of sick cells, the study has reported.
During the trial, the team of researchers examined ferroptosis – an intracellular iron-dependent form of cell death that occurs when fat molecules in cancer cells experience damage.
The results have revealed that blocking cancer cells from accessing fats puts them at risk of ferroptosis and, by extension, drugs that induce ferroptosis.
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According to the academics, more research is needed to see if diet can make ferroptosis inducers work more effectively.
Dr Lien said: “Diet is something that’s relatively easy to modify. We’re not there yet, but the thing we’re most excited about is how we might be able to use what we learn to one day design diets tailored to different types of treatment. That could be transformative.”
To read the study, click here.
