Researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute have found that triple-negative breast cancer cells depend on lipids for growth, a process accelerated by obesity-related high lipid levels. In mouse models, reducing these lipids slowed tumor progression, suggesting potential new treatments. The findings warn against high-fat diets like keto for obese breast cancer patients.
A new study from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah reveals that triple-negative breast cancer is particularly reliant on lipids, the fatty acids abundant in obesity, to drive tumor development. Funded by the National Cancer Institute and conducted using preclinical mouse models, the research demonstrates that hyperlipidemia—high blood lipid levels—alone can accelerate cancer growth, independent of other obesity factors like elevated glucose and insulin.
The team, led by investigators Keren Hilgendorf, PhD, Amandine Chaix, PhD, and Greg Ducker, PhD, examined mice fed high-fat diets and others genetically engineered to have hyperlipidemia. In both groups, excess lipids sped up tumor formation. 'Breast cancer cells are really addicted to lipids, and the abundance of lipids in patients with obesity is one of the reasons that breast cancer is more prevalent and more aggressive in these patients,' Hilgendorf explained.
Chaix added, 'The idea is that lipids, which form the surface membrane of the cell, are like building blocks. If a cell receives the signal to proliferate and more building blocks are available, the tumor is going to grow more easily.' When the researchers lowered lipid levels in these models, tumor growth slowed significantly, even with high glucose and insulin present.
These results, published in Cancer & Metabolism with Renan Vieira as first author, suggest therapeutic potential in lipid-lowering medications or diets to control cancer progression. However, Hilgendorf cautioned, 'While our results in mice were striking, there are clear limitations in directly projecting these findings onto human patients. More research using human samples and patients will be necessary.'
The study also raises concerns about high-fat diets such as the ketogenic diet for obese breast cancer patients or survivors. Ducker advised, 'For patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer and have an elevated BMI, we would advise them to consult their physician and develop a weight loss plan as part of their treatment. If you have high cholesterol levels to start with, think about a weight loss plan or potential pharmaceuticals that could lower your lipid levels.' The findings may extend to other cancers like ovarian or colorectal in obese individuals, with future work exploring anti-lipid drugs alongside chemotherapy.