Cancer cells may have an unexpected fuel source: the antioxidant glutathione, according to a new study from researchers at the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester. The research, published in Nature, suggests that tumors can utilize glutathione as a key energy source, particularly when surrounding tissues are nutrient-deprived.
This finding challenges the long-held belief that antioxidants are universally beneficial in preventing or treating cancer. Large-scale clinical trials have actually shown that antioxidant supplementation can promote, rather than prevent, cancer development. Understanding how cancer cells exploit substances considered harmless is a critical step in developing more effective therapies.
“Las células cancerosas y las células normales potencialmente utilizan diferentes fuentes de alimento,” explained researcher Isaac Harris, Ph.D., of the University of Rochester, in a statement. “Descubrimos cómo las células cancerosas descomponen este antioxidante y lo utilizan como combustible.” The study focused on breast cancer tumors, where researchers found high concentrations of glutathione within the tumor’s interior.
Researchers were able to slow tumor growth by blocking the cancer’s ability to utilize glutathione, suggesting a potential therapeutic target. This approach could potentially be applied to other types of cancer as well. The discovery highlights the need to re-evaluate how cancer cells obtain nutrients and to identify ways to disrupt this process.
“Es importante comprender cómo el cáncer se apropia de ciertas sustancias que podríamos considerar inofensivas,” Harris emphasized. He added that this research opens a new field of investigation into how cancer cells acquire nutrients and how that activity can be blocked, calling it “a really exciting time.” A drug designed to block this process is currently in the testing phase, with researchers working to improve and combine existing medications.
Supplements Under Scrutiny
Glutathione is naturally produced by the liver, but is also widely available as a dietary supplement. While often marketed for its health benefits, Harris cautions against relying solely on supplements. He stresses that a balanced diet “puede ayudar a controlar el peso, reducir la inflamación y fortalecer el sistema inmunitario.”
He advises caution when taking supplements, particularly glutathione, as they are not regulated by the FDA. “Tomar una pastilla no regulada por la FDA con una alta concentración de glutatión puede conllevar riesgos,” he warned. The National Cancer Institute also advises that taking antioxidant supplements has not been shown to reduce cancer risk and may even increase the risk of certain cancers in some cases.
The findings underscore the complex relationship between antioxidants and cancer, and the importance of obtaining nutrients from whole foods rather than relying on supplements. This research could lead to new strategies for targeting cancer metabolism and improving treatment outcomes.
(RT)
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