Targeting Fat Metabolism Enhances Ferroptosis-Inducing Cancer Treatments

According to a study conducted by researchers at the Van Andel Institute, preventing cancer cells from obtaining fat may improve the efficacy of a particular cancer treatment.

The research, which was published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology, paves the way for the creation of specialized food plans that would enhance the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs in eliminating cancerous cells.

We want to make cancer treatment more effective. The best way to do this is by understanding how cancer cells behave and identifying ways to break through their defenses. Our findings are an important step toward evidence-based diets that could one day augment existing therapies.”

Evan Lien, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Study Corresponding Author, Van Andel Institute

Fats are essential nutrients needed for optimal health. Normal biological functions are hijacked by cancer cells, which also take resources like lipids and use them as fuel to expand and spread.

The study concentrated on ferroptosis, a form of cell death brought on by damage to fat molecules in cancer cells. Targeting ferroptosis has been a more viable option for creating novel anti-cancer treatments in recent years.

Numerous factors that allow cancer cells to proliferate unchecked also allow them to evade the cellular quality control mechanisms that typically eliminate and eliminate diseased cells. Ferroptosis is a potentially effective therapy option for cancer since it can be an exception.

Lien and his colleagues demonstrated using cell models that cancer cells become extremely vulnerable to ferroptosis and, consequently, medications that cause ferroptosis when their access to lipids is cut off.

Although Lien says the results are encouraging, much more study is required to duplicate the findings in different cancer models. To improve the effectiveness of ferroptosis inducers, he and his team are now examining if food can be used to change the kind and quantity of fat.

Diet is something that is relatively easy to modify. We are not there yet, but the thing we are 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.”

Evan Lien, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Study Corresponding Author, Van Andel Institute