University of Queensland research has shown that a high-cholesterol
diet increases the spread of prostate cancer tumours to lymph nodes,
lungs and bones. Study
leader Dr Michelle Hill said the research highlighted why it is
important for patients with prostate cancer to choose a low-cholesterol
diet.
“High cholesterol doesn’t change the size of the original prostate
cancer tumour, but the effect on cancer spreading was shown to be
significant,” Dr Hill said.
The team investigated if the findings could also lead to a treatment to stop the spread of prostate cancer.
“We found two key proteins which enable the high cholesterol to prompt cancer spreading,” Dr Hill said.
“Cholesterol acts like a magnet, pulling these two proteins to the surface of the cancer cell.
"This disrupts the function of the cell, makes it more aggressive and spreads it elsewhere in the body.
“If we can block the magnetic effect cholesterol has on these two
proteins, our research could lead to future treatments preventing the
spread of prostate cancer.
“In the meantime, clinicians should work with patients to reduce
cholesterol through dietary modification and existing cholesterol
medication.”
Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health Service Medical
Director of Cancer Services Associate Professor Euan Walpole said he
welcomed the study because of its relevance to patient management.
“Results from this study highlight the potential importance of
monitoring and managing cholesterol levels in patients with prostate
cancer." he said.
Dr Hill’s study, with collaborators from UQ, Queensland University of
Technology and the University of New South Wales, was funded by The
Association of International Cancer Research and the Prostate Cancer
Foundation of Australia.
The research is published in the journal Oncotarget.