Overview

• Van Andel Institute researchers report a validated non-canonical pathway that converts β-hydroxybutyrate into cytosolic acetyl-CoA in cancer cells.
• Cancer cells were shown to use this route even when glucose is abundant, underscoring metabolic flexibility in nutrient choice.
• The acetyl-CoA produced via this pathway supports fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis that enables cell proliferation.
• The authors emphasize the work did not test ketogenic or other diets and does not justify dietary recommendations.
• The findings, published in Nature Metabolism by Kaluba et al. with corresponding author Evan Lien, build on prior VAI research showing immune T cells also exploit ketone-fueled acetyl-CoA backup routes.