Sugary drinks may increase risk of metastasis in advanced colorectal cancer

Medical Xpress / University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center / Nature Metabolism ^ | Sept. 17, 2025 | Jihye Yun, Ph.D. et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new study shows that the glucose-fructose mix found in sugary drinks directly fuels metastasis in preclinical models of advanced colorectal cancer.

A research team led by Jihye Yun, Ph.D. studied how sugary drinks may affect late-stage colorectal cancer. Using laboratory cancer models, they compared the effects of the glucose-fructose mix found in most sugary drinks with those of glucose or fructose alone. Only the sugar mix made cancer cells more mobile, leading to faster spread to the liver—the most common site of colorectal cancer metastasis.

The sugar mix activated an enzyme called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), which boosts glucose metabolism and triggers the cholesterol pathway, ultimately driving metastasis. This is the same pathway targeted by statins, common heart drugs that inhibit cholesterol production. Blocking SORD slowed metastasis, even with the sugar mix present. These findings suggest that targeting SORD could also offer an opportunity to block metastasis.

"Our findings highlight that daily diet matters not only for cancer risk but also for how the disease progresses once it has developed," Yun said. "While these findings need further investigation, they suggest that reducing sugary drinks, targeting SORD or repurposing statins may benefit patients with colorectal cancer."

Sugar has long been indirectly linked to an increase in cancer risk through obesity. However, a previous study by Yun's lab challenged that view, showing that even moderate intake of sugary drinks directly fueled tumor growth in early-stage colorectal cancer, independent of obesity. The current study was done to determine how sugary drinks may impact later-stage disease.

Further, Yun explained it may be worthwhile to consider revisions to current dietary recommendations to reduce sugary drink consumption in this patient population. To meet nutritional needs, many patients with cancer are encouraged to have nutritional supplement drinks and concentrated juices that contain high glucose and fructose content.

[ConservativeMind]

Sugary drinks are now encouraged in cancer patients, in the hope it helps them bring in calories.

It appears these very sweets directly help tumors grow and metastasize.

Statins appear to block this pro-cancer effect.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Jim W N]

Yeah, I know, everything you like will kill you.

Whatever...

[wetgundog]

Ensure will surely kill you... Threw mine away before and after liver surgery. Was prescribed by doctor.

[tumblindice]

CM, do you spend all day fretting over things that might kill you?

[ConservativeMind]

Not at all.

[Blurb2350]

Cancer loves sugar.

[plain talk]

thanks for posting much obliged.

[aimhigh]

I read a study two months ago that said Fructose metastasizes cancer at twice the rate of sugar.

[Delta 21]

Drs gonna do anything possible to make you believe that statins work for something when they dont work for anything.