FOEDRC Researcher Identifies Key Link Between Dietary Fat and Breast Cancer Metastasis 

FOEDRC member and Bridge to the Cure recipient Bing Li, PhD, is studying how different types of dietary fat may impact disease and overall health. In a recent study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Dr. Li and colleague Jiaqing Hao, PhD, focused on triple-negative breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is especially challenging to treat due to its fast growth and higher risk of returning. Their findings were recently published in the AACR Scientific Journal.

While obesity has long been linked to this type of cancer, much less has been known about how diet itself may influence how the disease behaves. To better understand this connection, Dr. Lis’ research team compared the effects of different high-fat diets. Although the diets resulted in similar weight gain, the study showed that the type of fat consumed mattered when it came to cancer growth and spread. 

The findings revealed that certain fats commonly found in olive oil were linked to increased cancer spread, while other high-fat sources did not have the same effect. This suggests that weight alone may not explain cancer progression, but instead the makeup of a person’s diet may play an important role. 

Researchers also identified a protein inside cancer cells called FABP5 (fatty acid–binding protein 5) that helps them take in and use fat for energy. When FABP5 was more active, cancer cells were more likely to spread. When its activity was reduced, the disease became far less aggressive. Higher levels of FABP5 were also linked to poorer outcomes in patient data. 

Together, these discoveries help scientists better understand how diet, metabolism, and cancer are connected. This research may one day guide more personalized nutrition recommendations and support the development of new treatment approaches for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. 

This work highlights the dedication of FOEDRC members to understanding how metabolism and diet affect serious diseases.