A new study has revealed how diabetes can make the most aggressive form of breast cancer even more deadly, especially for patients at risk of brain metastases.
The research, conducted by scientists at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, helps explain why patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and obesity-driven diabetes often have worse outcomes than those without metabolic conditions.
The findings suggest that doctors may need to treat these patients differently to improve their chances of survival.
More than 120 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes, and obesity-driven diabetes is a growing global problem. Despite this, oncologists currently do not treat breast cancer patients with diabetes any differently than other breast cancer patients.
However, the new study, published in Molecular Cancer Research, shows that diabetes changes the biology of TNBC, making it more aggressive and more likely to spread to the brain.
The researchers discovered that exosomes—tiny particles released by fat cells—carry microRNAs that influence how cancer behaves. These microRNAs, which play a role in cell growth and insulin regulation, seem to make TNBC more dangerous.
In lab experiments and models of breast cancer metastasis, scientists observed that when these exosomes were introduced to cancer cells, the tumors grew faster, moved more aggressively, and were more likely to survive under stress. Most concerning, the cancer was more likely to spread to the brain.
To confirm their findings, the researchers analyzed breast cancer patient data and found that these microRNAs are linked to worse outcomes in patients with obesity-driven diabetes. The patterns observed in their models matched real-world patient survival rates, helping to explain why some people with metabolic disorders have more severe breast cancer.
This discovery could lead to new ways of treating TNBC by targeting the underlying metabolic conditions that contribute to its spread.
“Our study highlights the growing understanding that cancer does not develop in isolation—it is influenced by a person’s overall health, including metabolic conditions like diabetes,” said Dr. Gerald V. Denis, the lead researcher.
“This is an urgent issue because obesity-driven diabetes is worsening worldwide, now affecting over 537 million adults. By treating underlying conditions like insulin resistance, we may be able to improve cancer outcomes.”
This research challenges the traditional view that cancer should be treated separately from other health conditions. It suggests that for patients with both TNBC and diabetes, addressing metabolic health could be just as important as treating the cancer itself.
Going forward, scientists hope that these findings will lead to more personalized treatments for breast cancer patients, particularly those with diabetes. More research is needed to develop targeted therapies that could block the effects of these microRNAs and slow cancer progression.
In the meantime, the study underscores the importance of monitoring and managing metabolic disorders in cancer patients, potentially improving survival rates for those most at risk.
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The research findings can be found in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
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