Overview

• Researchers report in Nature Metabolism that the sugar combination common in sodas, energy drinks and some juices boosted colorectal cancer cell motility and liver metastasis in laboratory models.
• The team found the effect required exposure to glucose and fructose together, as neither sugar alone produced the same pro-metastatic behavior.
• Mechanistic experiments showed activation of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) shifted the NAD+/NADH balance, accelerated glycolysis and engaged the mevalonate/cholesterol pathway implicated in metastasis.
• Genetic or pharmacologic suppression of SORD reduced cancer cell migration even when the mixed sugars were present, pointing to SORD as a potential therapeutic target.
• The authors suggest evaluating statins and curbing sugary drink intake for patients as hypotheses for clinical testing, noting that current evidence is preclinical but aligns with epidemiologic links to worse outcomes.