A groundbreaking study by a team from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah has shown that triple-negative breast cancer may be fueled by lipids—fatty acids linked directly to obesity. This discovery, supported by the National Cancer Institute, sheds new light on how metabolic imbalances drive aggressive tumor growth and may redefine dietary recommendations for breast cancer patients.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most challenging forms of the disease to treat due to its high recurrence rates and limited targeted therapies. Researchers found that breast cancer cells appear “addicted” to lipids, using them as fuel for uncontrolled proliferation. Their experiments in preclinical mouse models revealed that excessive fatty acids, a typical feature of obesity, dramatically accelerate tumor development.
Lipids: The Hidden Drivers of Cancer Growth
Lead investigator Dr. Keren Hilgendorf, assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah and scientist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, emphasized the overlooked role of fats in cancer biology. “People have underestimated the importance of fats and lipids in the all-encompassing term that is obesity,” she said. “Breast cancer cells are really addicted to lipids, and this abundance is one reason cancer is more aggressive in patients with obesity.”
Her team, including Dr. Amandine Chaix, assistant professor of nutrition and integrative physiology, and Dr. Greg Ducker, assistant professor of biochemistry, designed experiments using mice on high-fat diets and models engineered to exhibit high lipid levels without other hallmarks of obesity such as elevated glucose or insulin. Their results showed that hyperlipidemia alone—the condition of having elevated fat levels in the blood—was enough to spur tumor growth.
How Lipids Feed Tumor Cells
“As lipids form the cell membrane, they are like building blocks,” explains Dr. Chaix. “If a cell receives a growth signal and more building blocks are available, the tumor proliferates more easily.” The study demonstrated that an abundance of lipids creates an optimal environment for cancer cells to multiply and invade, fueling tumor development in the absence of other metabolic triggers like insulin resistance.
By reducing lipid levels even in models with high glucose and insulin, researchers successfully slowed down tumor progression. This suggests that lipid-lowering therapies could help decelerate breast cancer growth—potentially offering a new avenue for treatment.
Potential Therapeutic Implications
“Our results in mice were striking,” said Hilgendorf, “but we must be careful when extrapolating findings directly to human patients. More research using clinical samples is essential before we can confirm these hypotheses.”
If further validated, these discoveries could pave the way for integrating lipid-lowering medications—commonly used to treat high cholesterol—into cancer therapy strategies. Such interventions might make certain treatments more effective while supporting patients’ metabolic health during and after cancer care.
Rethinking Weight Loss and Diet Recommendations
One of the most immediate implications of the study concerns dietary choices for breast cancer patients. Many people with obesity look to the ketogenic diet—a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen—for weight loss. However, the study warns that such diets may inadvertently increase lipid availability, potentially stimulating tumor growth in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
“We think this has therapeutic implications,” said Dr. Ducker. “If you can lower lipids—which clinicians already know how to do through medication—it may slow cancer growth. But diets like keto that are very high in fat could have serious unintended side effects, even causing tumors to grow faster.”
The research suggests healthcare providers should advise patients with elevated cholesterol or lipid levels to pursue balanced, medically supervised weight loss plans. These should include strategies for reducing blood fat rather than relying solely on high-fat diets that can exacerbate metabolic risks.
Lipid Metabolism Beyond Breast Cancer
Interestingly, scientists believe this mechanism may extend beyond triple-negative breast cancer. Lipids could also influence tumor behavior in other obesity-related cancers, including ovarian and colorectal cancers. As part of their ongoing research, the Huntsman Cancer Institute team aims to test how anti-lipid drugs may interact with chemotherapy to improve treatment response and survival rates.
Their next step involves studying how lipids feed cancer cells at the molecular level—unraveling the biochemical pathways that make fat such a potent fuel source for malignancy. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to targeted approaches that cut cancer’s power supply by interrupting its lipid access.
The Broader Message
This research contributes to a growing understanding that obesity is not a single condition but a complex metabolic environment that supports disease progression. Lipids, often overlooked in favor of glucose and insulin, may be a critical link between obesity and cancer. The findings encourage a more nuanced approach to patient care that considers all aspects of metabolic health, not just body weight.
For oncologists and nutritionists, these results highlight the importance of collaboration when developing diet and therapy guidelines for cancer patients. Personalized treatment must take into account lipid levels, genetic predisposition, and overall metabolic profile to achieve sustained improvement.
Hope and Future Directions
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s work embodies the spirit of innovation and compassion that defines modern cancer research. By uncovering how everyday metabolic processes influence severe disease outcomes, the team offers hope for improved therapies and prevention.
The institute, part of University of Utah Health, continues to lead global efforts in understanding, preventing, and treating cancer. With cutting-edge facilities spanning over one million square feet, Huntsman researchers integrate science, care, and education to deliver better outcomes across the Mountain West and beyond.
The study is not a deterrent against all high-fat diets, the researchers emphasized. Some cancer types may respond differently, and the keto diet might still hold therapeutic potential in specific contexts. Each diet’s impact should be tested thoroughly in distinct cancer models before drawing definitive clinical conclusions.
Guidance for Patients
For patients with breast cancer and obesity, experts advise discussing lipid management with their oncologists or primary care physicians. Monitoring cholesterol, triglycerides, and overall metabolic status could play an essential role in maintaining long-term health and improving cancer outcomes.
The message is clear: when it comes to treating or surviving cancer, understanding your metabolic profile—including lipid levels—can make a real difference. Precision in diet, medication, and lifestyle management remains vital for every patient’s care journey.
The Huntsman Cancer Institute’s latest study reframes how scientists and clinicians understand the connection between obesity and cancer progression. By identifying lipids as a critical biological driver, this research opens the door to safer diet strategies and innovative therapeutic options. As investigations continue, the hope is that controlling lipid levels could empower patients worldwide to fight cancer more effectively and live healthier, longer lives.
