Sugary drinks are already linked to weight gain, diabetes and early cancer development. Now, new research suggests they may also play a role in how cancer spreads.
In a study published in Nature Metabolism, scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center tested how sugar-sweetened beverages might affect advanced colorectal cancer. Using laboratory models, they compared the effects of glucose, fructose and the two sugars combined, the mix found in most sodas and fruit juices. Only the combination triggered cancer cells to migrate more quickly, fueling spread to the liver.
The researchers traced this effect to an enzyme called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD). When activated by the glucose-fructose mix, SORD ramped up glucose metabolism and cholesterol production, driving metastasis. Blocking the enzyme slowed cancer spread, even when sugary drinks were present.
“Our findings highlight that daily diet matters not only for cancer risk but also for how the disease progresses once it has developed,” said study leader Jihye Yun, Ph.D., of MD Anderson. “While these findings need further investigation, they suggest that reducing sugary drinks, targeting SORD or repurposing statins may benefit patients with colorectal cancer.”
The work builds on earlier research from Yun’s lab showing that even moderate sugary drink intake could fuel early colorectal tumor growth, independent of obesity. This time, the focus was on late-stage disease, where metastasis is the leading cause of death.
While the results are preclinical, they point to potential clinical implications. Patients with cancer are sometimes encouraged to drink high-sugar nutrition shakes and juices to maintain calorie intake. Yun suggested dietary recommendations for this population may need revisiting if further studies confirm the findings.
The research also points to new treatment angles: SORD inhibitors or cholesterol-lowering statins might help slow metastasis in colorectal cancer, though human studies are still needed.
This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute, the Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research program, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the V Scholar Award and the Andrew Sabin Family Fellows Award.