TAMPA, Fla. — Colon cancer stands as a significant health concern, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, as reported by the World Health Organization. A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at USF Health and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute has shed light on a possible connection between the Western diet replete with ultra-processed foods and harmful oils and the chronic inflammation that fuels tumor growth.Understanding the Impact
Ganesh Halade, an associate professor at the USF Health Heart Institute and a member of the Cancer Biology Program at TGH Cancer Institute, emphasizes, "If we provide the molecules from healthy fat, it may have the potential to control or limit the tumor to a certain extent or manage the inflammation. Once inflammation gets out of control, it becomes extremely challenging to bring it under control."Researchers firmly believe that the food we consume can play a crucial role in fueling cancer. Dr. Timothy Yeatman, a professor of surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and the associate center director for Translational Research and Innovation at the TGH Cancer Institute, states, "It is widely known that patients with unhealthy diets experience increased inflammation in their bodies. Now, we can observe this inflammation within the colon tumors themselves. Cancer is akin to a chronic wound that fails to heal. When the body is constantly fed with daily ultra-processed foods, its ability to heal that wound diminishes due to the inflammation and the suppression of the immune system, ultimately enabling cancer to grow."Ganesh Halade took ABC Action News on a tour of the lab where he is studying tumors from patients with colorectal cancer at Tampa General Hospital. The tumors were promptly frozen within 30 minutes of removal and transported to the lab through the Biobank of USF and TGH Cancer Institute.Researchers noticed an excessive number of molecules that trigger inflammation and a shortage of those that aid in resolving it and promoting healing. These findings are opening up new avenues for resolution medicine, which focuses on restoring the balance in the patient's diet to treat colorectal cancer more effectively.Dr. Yeatman further explains, "A human's immune system holds tremendous power and can significantly influence the tumor microenvironment. This is highly beneficial if harnessed correctly for health and well-being. However, if it is suppressed by inflammatory lipids from processed foods, it loses its effectiveness."Resolution medicine aims to reverse inflammation by using healthy, unprocessed foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the derivatives of fish oil called "specialized pro-resolving mediators" to restore the body's healing mechanisms along with maintaining balanced sleep and engaging in regular exercise."This has the potential to bring about a revolutionary change in cancer treatment, moving beyond relying solely on drugs and instead harnessing natural healing processes," Yeatman says. "It is a crucial step towards addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases from taking hold in the first place."Early trials using specialized derivatives of fish oil have shown promising results in addressing inflammation at its root cause. These trials are currently in progress at the TGH Cancer Institute, and the team will continue to explore resolution medicine and its impact on patient treatment and disease prevention.The research is generously funded by the National Institutes of Health through a five-year, $3.1 million grant.
