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A cancerous tumor has the ability to rearrange its metabolism
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Researchers at Duke University in the US have discovered that metastatic tumor cells can transform their own metabolic processes in order to develop inside the liver or other organs.
For example, collateral cancer cells alter their dietary habits to take advantage of the presence of fructose in the liver.
Such information helps to expand scientists' understanding of the mechanisms of development of metastatic tumors for the further search for effective treatment tactics.
The greatest danger of cancer is its spread to other organs - in such a situation the disease becomes fatal. However, direct action like chemotherapy usually does not take into account the location of the tumor process.
"As a genetic factor, colon cancer is a cancerous process in the colon, regardless of whether it spreads elsewhere. However, it turned out that cancer structures are capable of changing under the influence of the environment. We assumed that such changes are not genetic, but metabolic in origin," Professor Xilin Shen comments on the situation.
During the study, scientists were able to discover that individual metabolic genes of the tumor were activated after metastasis to liver tissue. Their activity exceeded that of the primary tumor process or metastasis to the lungs.
A number of genes involved in fructose metabolism stood out in particular. The scientists were surprised, because many nutritional principles involve the use of fructose. For example, it is added to corn syrup and many processed foods.
“When cancer cells enter the liver, they switch to using available fructose to ensure their own growth and development,” the researchers explain.
In order to use fructose as food, malignant cells have to synthesize a large amount of a specific enzyme – aldolase polypeptide. The cancerous tumor adapts to the synthesis of the necessary enzyme in the liver, rebuilding its own metabolism to new conditions. After this, metastases begin to develop intensively. Therefore, to successfully combat cancer spread to the liver, it is necessary to prevent the metabolic transformation of cellular structures. Professor Shen believes that the first step is to eliminate the use of fructose and use means to inhibit its metabolism.
Since medications that affect fructose metabolism are already available from pharmacists to correct metabolic pathologies, "cross therapy" should soon find its application. Such treatment can become an important element in the complex of oncological measures.
The work is described in detail in the scientific publication Cell Metabolism.
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