New Study Shows Potential Link Between Fructose and Cancer Fighting Immune Response
In the ongoing battle against cancer, a new study suggests that the role of sugar, specifically fructose, may need to be reconsidered. A group of researchers from Shanghai Chest Hospital and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have discovered that fructose, a natural sugar found in fruit, honey, and some sweet foods, could potentially be a valuable ally in the fight against cancer.
The study, which was published in the journal Cell Metabolism and discussed in Nature Immunology, focused on the impact of fructose on the immune response to cancer. According to Paolo Ascierto, president of the Melanoma Foundation and oncologist at Pascale in Naples, previous studies have shown that fructose is associated with the growth of certain tumors, like intestinal tumors and metastasis. However, the impact of fructose on the anti-tumor immune response was not well understood until now.
In the study, one group of mice with melanoma was fed a high-fructose diet, while another group was fed a normal diet. After just two weeks, the mice that consumed the high-fructose diet showed a significant reduction in tumor growth and tumor-induced lethality compared to the control group. Similar results were also found in a previous study on mice with lung cancer.
The researchers observed that dietary fructose increased the immune response of T lymphocytes called CD8+, which are responsible for identifying and killing tumors, thus controlling the progression of the disease. The study also found that the consumption of fructose triggered the production of the hormone leptin, which is associated with an increase in the activity of anti-tumor T lymphocytes.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that higher plasma leptin levels correlated with increased anti-tumor T cell activity in lung cancer patients. However, it is important to note that the study does not suggest that consuming more sugar automatically helps fight cancer. Rather, it indicates that there may be potential for fructose to be utilized to strengthen the action of the immune system against cancer.
Ascierto emphasized the need for further studies to understand how fructose can be leveraged to enhance the immune response against cancer. While the findings are promising, more research is necessary to fully comprehend the potential benefits of fructose in the fight against cancer.