The National University of Singapore (NUS) research team has discovered new information that could help clarify the link between cancer risk and unhealthy diet, as well as common diseases like diabetes that result from poor diet. The knowledge gained from this study has the potential to enhance cancer prevention strategies focused on promoting healthy aging.The study on cancer prevention strategies for healthy aging was led by Professor Ashok Venkitaraman and conducted by scientists at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at NUS and NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR) under the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, alongside colleagues from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). According to Prof Venkitaraman, cancer is the result of genes interacting with environmental factors like diet, exercise, and pollution, and the study aimed to understand how these factors contribute to cancer.
The connection between methylglyoxal and cancer risk is not yet fully understood, but it is important to recognize it in order to take preventative measures for better long-term health.
Chemical Linked to Diabetes, Obesity, and Poor Diet Can Increase Risk of Cancer
Researchers initially focused on patients with a high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer due to inheriting a mutated version of the BRCA2 gene from their parents. They found that cells from these patients were especially sensitive to the effects of methylglyoxal, a chemical produced during the breakdown of glucose for energy.The research found that this substance can lead to DNA damage, which could be an early indicator of cancer development. The team also found that individuals who don’t inherit a faulty BRCA2 gene but have elevated levels of methylglyoxal, such as those with diabetes or pre-diabetes, could have similar warning signs of increased cancer risk. Professor Venkitaraman added that the study suggests individuals with high methylglyoxal levels may be at a greater risk of developing cancer, and that methylglyoxal can be detected through a blood test for Hb.A1C could potentially serve as a marker for cancer risk. Additionally, controlling high levels of methylglyoxal with medications and a healthy diet can help prevent the development of cancer. The study’s primary researcher, Dr. Li Ren Kong, Lee Kuan Yew Fellow from N2CR, explained, “Initially, we set out to identify factors that increase cancer risk in families with a predisposition to the disease, but we unexpectedly uncovered a deeper connection between a vital energy pathway and cancer development. These findings emphasize the importance of diet and weight management in reducing the risk of cancer.”
Novel mechanism for tumour formation
The research team’s work has also challenged a long-standing theory about certain cancer-preventing genes. Known as the Knudson’s ‘two-hit’ paradigm, this theory was established in 1971 and suggested that these genes need to be permanently inactivated in our cells before cancer can develop. However, the NUS team has discovered that methylglyoxal can temporarily deactivate these cancer-preventing genes, indicating that repeated episodes of poor diet or uncontrolled diabetes can accumulate over time to increase the risk of cancer. This new understanding is crucial in rethinking the mechanisms of tumour formation.It is expected that the findings will have a significant impact on shaping future research in this field. The next step in the research involves expanding on the new discoveries made by the researchers. They plan to further investigate whether metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or poor diets, have an impact on the risk of cancer in Singapore and other Asian countries. Additionally, the research team aims to uncover new mechanisms underlying the link between metabolism, diet, and cancer that they have uncovered, in order to develop more effective methods for preventing or delaying the onset of cancer.