fructose (used increasingly as sweetener) may increase metastatic potential of some

[Lani]

breast cancer cell lines (preclinical study only so far)

Int J Oncol. 2010 Sep;37(3):615-22.
Fructose as a carbon source induces an aggressive phenotype in MDA-MB-468 breast tumor cells.
Monzavi-Karbassi B, Hine RJ, Stanley JS, Ramani VP, Carcel-Trullols J, Whitehead TL, Kelly T, Siegel ER, Artaud C, Shaaf S, Saha R, Jousheghany F, Henry-Tillman R, Kieber-Emmons T.

Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. karbassi@uams.edu.
Abstract
Aberrant glycosylation is a universal feature of cancer cells, and certain glycan structures are well-known markers for tumor progression. Availability and composition of sugars in the microenvironment may affect cell glycosylation. Recent studies of human breast tumor cell lines indicate their ability to take up and utilize fructose. Here we tested the hypothesis that adding fructose to culture as a carbon source induces phenotypic changes in cultured human breast tumor cells that are associated with metastatic disease. MDA-MB-468 cells were adapted to culture media in which fructose was substituted for glucose. Changes in cell surface glycan structures, expression of genes related to glycan assembly, cytoskeleton F-actin, migration, adhesion and invasion were determined. Cells cultured in fructose expressed distinct cell-surface glycans. The addition of fructose affected sialylation and fucosylation patterns. Fructose feeding also increased binding of leukoagglutinating Phaseolus vulgaris isolectin, suggesting a possible rise in expression of branching beta-1, 6 GlcNAc structures. Rhodamine-phalloidin staining revealed an altered F-actin cytoskeletal system. Fructose accelerated cellular migration and increased invasion. These data suggest that changing the carbon source of the less aggressive MDA-MB-468 cell line induced characteristics associated with more aggressive phenotypes. These data could be of fundamental importance due to the markedly increased consumption of sweeteners containing free fructose in recent years, as they suggest that the presence of fructose in nutritional microenvironment of tumor cells may negatively affect the outcome for some breast cancer patients.

PMID: 20664930

[Rich66]

Sugar=bad ;)

[hutchibk]

And at all costs, DON'T DRINK COKE/PEPSI, ETC. high fructose corn syrup type sodas...

Oh, and the DIET ones are not a better choice, for a variety of additional reason.

[pibikay]

Iread in Quillin's book that cancer thrives on Sugar.Fructise is also a kind of Sugar.So I am wondering if the protein supplement with fructose added is to be avoidedm

[1rarebird]

I may have this wrong, but I think that fructose is broken down by liver enzymes, eventually forming glucose that is the fuel which all cells--cancer and non---use for their energy source. I read that this break down process of the fructose molecule leaves a metabolic residue compound that can be converted to triglycerides and an increase in bad cholesterol, LDL. The calories that come with fructose and these other reasons make it clear that we should avoid the stuff as much as possible.

bird

[chicagoetc]

So not only is high fructose corn syrup bad, but also fruit?

Melanie

[Rich66]

Seems like it's the insulin spike/growth factors and metabolic issues associated with carbs and cancer:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=39588

[R.B.]

Mighty complicated but:

Table sugar is half fructose and half glucose. Fructose syrups may contain more or less than 50% fructose depending on which one you look at.

We have bred fruits that contain higher levels of fructose, in part because we like sweet fruit and weight for weight fructose is sweeter than glucose.



They are metabolised by different pathways, to a common substance that is broken down by the mitochondria.



Food highest in fructose are listed her and a few in the top 20 may surprise you.

http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000011000000000000000.html

[Rich66]

Seems like it would be hard to follow the high in fruits and (some) veggies diet without taking in a lot of fructose/glucose or starches that turn to glucose.

[ElaineM]

We can choose fruits and vegetables and other carbs that are high in nutritional value and low in fructose and glucose. Lists are available on the internet and from various naturopathic physicians, dieticians or nutritionists.

[Rich66]

Sure..but many chalk up an essentially low carb diet as a "fad".

[hutchibk]

Fruits and vegs = complex carbs, no? Simple carbs are the enemy, right?

[Rich66]

Some natural carbs have higher glycemic value than others. Diabetics have had to learn the difference for years. Seems like a safe guideline is if it raises your blood sugar and insulin levels, probably a good idea for cancer patients to limit it. There are immune system implications to insulin levels too.

[1rarebird]

From what I've read about carbs, sugars and their glycemic index (GI) ratings, there are some fruits which are high in GI and many others that are not. So it probably is a good idea to learn which of the fruits are high glycemic and substitute others that with smaller (50 or less) GIs. That would help lessen insulin spikes in the blood and possibly reduce the insulin-like growth factor stimulation of breast cancer cells as a consequence.

There's no good reason to give up on fruits--- especially the ones that have anti-carcinogenesis attributes like blue berries.

bird