Scientists Find a New Way to Combat Prostate Cancer

According to a new study published in the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine, saturated fatty acids promote the development and accelerate the growth of prostate tumors. Since blocking these acids apparently slows the progression of cancer, this suggests a new therapeutic approach to treating malignant neoplasms of the prostate.

According to the leading authors of the study – Deputy Director of the Oncology Program at the Institute of Biomedical Research in Clayton, Australia, Renea Taylor, and Professor Matthew Watt, Head of the Department of Physiology at the University of Melbourne – despite the fact that prostate tumors grow slowly, preventing them from reaching an aggressive stage is still beyond the capabilities of doctors.

The researchers aimed to understand what allows prostate cancer to become so aggressive. They specifically intended to determine what fuels the cells of this type of cancer and how the metabolism of prostate tumors differs from that of other forms of oncology. "There is a strong link between obesity, dietary patterns, and adverse outcomes for men with prostate cancer," says Professor Taylor, explaining what prompted the scientists to study the impact of fatty acids on the development of this disease.

It has been established that among men who consume products rich in saturated fats, including red meat, processed meats, bacon, baked goods, and high-fat dairy products, aggressive forms of prostate cancer are more frequently observed. Therefore, the scientists set out to study the role of fatty acids in the growth of this type of tumor in more detail.

Blocking Fatty Acid Transport Slows Cancer Development

The researchers took samples of tumor tissues from men with prostate cancer and transplanted them into laboratory mice. They found that the absorption of fatty acids by cancer cells was higher, and that they used them as a sort of fuel for tumor mass growth, while healthy cells use glucose as an energy source. The scientists also discovered that the CD36 receptor protein, responsible for fatty acid transport, is an activator of these metabolic changes. Moreover, this protein, as established in earlier studies, is associated with aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

Then, the Australian researchers removed the gene responsible for producing this transporter and studied the consequences for rodents with prostate tumors. The removal of the gene reduced the signaling functions of lipids that led to cancer formation and slowed tumor progression. The scientists also noted that therapy using antibodies to the CD36 protein reduced the aggressiveness of cancer in mice. Thus, they claim to have discovered a new therapeutic target.

"Our results indicate the important role of saturated fatty acid absorption in the development of prostate cancer and suggest that targeting this process could be an effective strategy in treating this type of tumor," summarize the authors of the study.

"It has long been known that disturbances in fatty acid metabolism are associated with the development of many chronic diseases," says Professor Watt. "We are pleased that we were able to apply this knowledge to cancer and propose a new approach to treating a disease that affects a vast number of men worldwide today."

"Our main goal is to develop a more effective treatment that would prevent tumors from progressing to late or advanced stages," concludes Renea Taylor. "And our research proves that blocking fatty acid transport is one way to achieve this goal."

According to the American Cancer Society, this year in the U.S., doctors will diagnose prostate cancer in 175,000 men, with more than 30,000 dying from this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among the male population in America, after lung cancer.