Overconsumption of seed oils may fuel aggressive breast cancer, new study finds
PTC Web Desk: Health experts are raising red flags over the excessive use of seed and vegetable oils, citing new research that suggests a potential link between these oils and the progression of aggressive breast cancer. A recent study from Weill Cornell Medicine has identified linoleic acid—a type of omega-6 fatty acid found in many seed oils—as a contributor to the growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most difficult forms of breast cancer to treat.
Triple-negative breast cancer is known for its rapid spread and lower survival rate (approximately 77%) when compared to other breast cancer subtypes (around 90%). According to the study, which was published on March 14 in Science, linoleic acid appears to stimulate a specific tumour growth pathway by binding to a protein called FABP5. This protein is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer cells but is far less common in hormone-sensitive breast cancer types.
The study demonstrated that diets rich in linoleic acid significantly increased tumour growth in mice models of triple-negative breast cancer. Common dietary sources of linoleic acid include seed oils such as soybean and safflower oil, as well as animal-derived foods like pork and eggs.
“This research helps us better understand the complex link between dietary fats and cancer,” said Dr. John Blenis, senior author of the study and Professor of Cancer Research at Weill Cornell Medicine. “It also opens the door for personalised nutrition strategies that could help reduce cancer risk or slow its progression in certain patients.”
Researchers believe that this discovery could pave the way for both nutritional and pharmaceutical interventions targeting linoleic acid metabolism, particularly for individuals at higher risk of developing aggressive cancers like TNBC.
- With inputs from agencies
