Overview

• Published in Nature Metabolism, the MD Anderson study reports that the glucose–fructose combination increased cancer cell mobility and liver spread in laboratory and animal models, unlike either sugar alone.
• The sugar mixture activated sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), which boosted glucose metabolism and triggered a cholesterol-biosynthesis pathway linked to metastatic progression.
• Blocking SORD slowed metastatic spread in the models even when the glucose–fructose mixture was present.
• Because the implicated pathway is targeted by statins, the authors suggest evaluating statin repurposing or SORD inhibitors as potential interventions in clinical studies.
• The researchers stress that the findings are preclinical and say any changes to diet or use of high-sugar nutritional supplements for patients should be guided by future trials.