Locations:
Search IconSearch
July 20, 2017/Cancer

New Findings: Influence of High-Fat Diet on Colorectal Cancer

Study uncovers key molecular pathways

17-DDI-3625-Colon-Cancer-CQD

Poor diet is associated with 80 percent of colorectal cancer cases, but the exact pathways by which diet leads to cancer are not known.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

In a newly published study, Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a specific molecular pathway that plays a key role in the link between a high-fat diet and tumor growth in the colon.

Study design

In the July 6 issue of Stem Cell Reports, the team showed that colon cancer stem cell growth in mice was enhanced by a high-fat, Western diet. Cancer stem cells are a subset of resilient, aggressive malignant cells that are believed to be partially responsible for spread and recurrence of cancer.

The researchers focused on the JAK2-STAT3 cellular signaling pathway, a widely studied pathway known to promote tumor growth. When the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was blocked, the spike in cancer stem cell growth caused by the high-fat diet declined, providing more insight into how this pathway is linked to diet-related cancer. Researchers anticipate that pinpointing the exact mechanism can lead to the development of therapeutics to counteract the negative effects of a Western diet on colorectal cancer.

Understanding the connection

“We have known the influence of diet on colorectal cancer. However, these new findings are the first to show the connection between high-fat intake and colon cancer via a specific molecular pathway,” says colorectal surgeon Matthew Kalady, MD, co-author of the study and Co-Director of the Cleveland Clinic Comprehensive Colorectal Cancer Program. “We can now build upon this knowledge to develop new treatments aimed at blocking this pathway and reducing the negative impact of a high-fat diet on colon cancer risk.”

Advertisement

The team analyzed human colorectal cancer-free survival data in the Cancer Genome Atlas and evaluated primary and metastasized colorectal cancer specimens via microarray analysis. They further verified the link between high-fat diet and stem cell maintenance in obesity-resistant mice.

“These findings also provide a new way in which cancer stem cells are regulated and provide insight into how environmental influences, such as diet, can alter cancer stem cell populations in advanced cancers,” says Justin D. Lathia, PhD, Associate Professor in the Lerner Research Institute’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and co-author of the study.

Senior author of the study was the late Noa Noy, PhD, and first author was Sheelarani Karunanithi, PhD. The laboratories of Ofer Reizes, PhD, Justin D. Lathia, PhD, and Dr. Kalady participated in the study. This work was supported by National Institute of Health grant R01DK088969.

Advertisement

Related Articles

Dr. Melenhorst
April 24, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
Explore Developments in CAR T-Cell Therapy for CLL (Podcast)

Discussing research into improving CAR T-cell therapy efficacy

Dr. Cherian
April 23, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
De-intensifying Radiation Therapy in Low-Risk Breast Cancer

Ultra-Hypofractionated Whole Breast Irradiation and Partial Breast Irradiation Reduce Many Toxicities

Pathology image
April 22, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
Patient Case Study: Second Opinion Reveals Misdiagnosed Cancer

Patient receives liver transplant and a new lease on life

Clinician talking with patient
April 21, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
Hematology Clinic Created to Support Spanish-Speaking Population

Lutheran Hospital team brings emerging treatments to community setting

Dr. Pennell and patient
April 10, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
BiTE Therapy Emerges for Treating Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Hybrid treatment model helps improve cancer care access

Immune checkpoint inhibitor illustration
April 8, 2025/Cancer
Building on Initial Trial Data about New Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Treating Colorectal Cancer

Insights indicate that treatment may be beneficial beyond MSI-H tumors

Dr. Gerds with a patient
April 7, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
Positive Results from Prospective, Randomized, Phase 3 Registrational Trial of Pelabresib + Ruxolitinib for JAK Inhibitor-Naive Myelofibrosis

Combination therapy doubles the number of meaningful spleen volume responses over monotherapy

Baby's feet
April 3, 2025/Cancer/News & Insight
Fertility Preservation Counseling for Young Adults with Cancer

Growing need for addressing fertility concerns

Ad