We spontaneously think of tobacco when we talk about
lung cancer. A team from the University of Florida, however, shows that another habit, much more mundane, could also influence the progression of the disease: what we put on our plate every day.
In a study published in the journal Nature Metabolismthese researchers connect a western dietvery rich in sugars and fats, to the aggravation of a common type of tumor, thelung adenocarcinomavia the accumulation of a reserve sugar, the
glycogen. A discreet, but worrying mechanism.
Lung cancer and diet: a long-ignored link
“Lung cancer has not traditionally been considered a diet-related disease. This is the case for diseases like pancreatic or liver cancer. However, when it comes to lung cancer, the idea that diet may play a role is rarely discussed.“, explains Ramon Sun, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Center for Advanced Research in Space Biomolecules at the University of Florida.
Adenocarcinoma represents around 40% of lung cancers worldwide and also affects non-smokers.
When glycogen from the Western diet feeds the tumor
THE glycogen is a reserve of glucose made from the carbohydrates we consume. In this study, researchers describe it as an oncogenic metabolite, a “bait for cancer cells“.”The more glycogen the cancer cells contain, the more the tumor grows and the more it progresses“, they summarize. In other words, this stock of sugar gives the tumor cells the energy and the building blocks necessary to multiply.
On mice carrying lung tumors, the team tested a Western-style diet, rich in fat and fructose. As a result, blood glycogen levels rose and tumors proliferated. “Conversely, decreasing glycogen levels led to slower tumor growth.“, they add. This pattern is also found in genetic models where the enzyme that produces glycogen is blocked.
What can the attitude change in the face of lung cancer?
For Ramon Sun, “Glycogen is an ‘exceptionally reliable indicator’ of tumor growth and risk of death in lung cancer patients“. The authors believe that prevention should, ultimately, take inspiration from anti-smoking campaigns by emphasizing a less sugary and less fatty diet, particularly in people at risk or already sick. Furthermore, there are three types of drugs that target glycogen levels, indicated Matthew Gentry, study collaborator, professor and director of the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, and all were developed from studies on Lafora disease (a very serious form very rare epilepsy).
The researchers point out that most of the detailed data comes from animal models and tissue analyses, not yet from clinical trials in humans. Their message remains cautious but clear: limiting excess added sugars, very fatty and ultra-processed foods could reduce this “fuel” available for tumors. “Promoting better eating habits can be a powerful tool in lung cancer prevention“, concluded Matthew Gentry.