How Sugar Metabolism May Hold the Key to Fighting Rare Childhood Cancer
In a promising breakthrough for cancer research, scientists have identified a critical metabolic weakness in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST), a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. The discovery could revolutionise the way doctors approach treatment — shifting from merely attacking cancer cells to starving them of their energy source.
In an exclusive interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Mohd Rizwan Shaikh, Consultant in Hematology, Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali, shared how this finding reveals the surprising link between sugar metabolism and tumour growth, and what it could mean for future treatment strategies.
Introduction: The Sugar Connection Behind a Deadly Disease
For years, sugar has been at the centre of debates around cancer, with myths suggesting that “cutting sugar” can starve tumours. While these claims have often lacked scientific backing, new research on MPNST provides concrete insight into how cancer cells depend on sugar — not as a dietary source, but as a biochemical process essential to their survival.
According to Dr. Shaikh, MPNST cells rely heavily on a specific metabolic pathway called the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) — a process that helps cancer cells metabolise sugar efficiently while protecting them from oxidative stress, which would otherwise destroy them.
“Research supported that MPNST cells were highly reliant upon the PPP, a metabolic pathway. The process allows for effective metabolism of sugar by the cancer cells and shields them from oxidative stress, otherwise killing them,” explained Dr. Shaikh.
By inhibiting the PPP, researchers have managed to slow tumour growth and increase the tumour’s sensitivity to chemotherapy, marking a new frontier in precision oncology.
Trend Insight: From Cell Destruction to Pathway Targeting
This discovery signals a significant paradigm shift in cancer treatment. Traditionally, cancer therapy has revolved around chemotherapy and radiation — treatments designed to destroy cancer cells outright. However, modern oncology is increasingly focusing on targeting the biological processes that allow cancer to survive and spread.
Dr. Shaikh calls this a “metabolic bottleneck” — a point where cutting off a key nutrient pathway can effectively cripple cancer’s ability to sustain itself.
“Instead of merely killing off cancer cells with radiation or chemotherapy, researchers today are targeting the biological pathways that allow cancer to develop,” he said.
“The identification of the PPP as a metabolic bottleneck for MPNST opens up a new window of opportunity for creating new drugs that can greatly enhance outcomes for children and teens suffering from this challenging-to-treat illness.”
This is especially meaningful for conditions like MPNST, which are notoriously resistant to conventional therapies. Affecting fewer than 1 in 100,000 children, MPNSTs are rare tumours originating in the protective lining of nerves, often associated with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
By understanding the tumour’s dependence on sugar metabolism, scientists can now explore customised drug formulations that specifically target its vulnerabilities — a major step toward personalised cancer medicine.
Expert View: “We’re Living in an Exciting Era of Cancer Research”
Dr. Shaikh describes this as one of the most exciting times in modern oncology, where biology, genetics, and metabolism converge to create highly specific therapies.
“We are living in an exciting era of hemato-oncology, as groundbreaking research is continually rewriting the cancer biology book. Each new finding moves us closer to treatments that are not just improved but customised to the unique weaknesses of each type of cancer,” he said.
However, he cautions against overinterpreting laboratory findings and warns families against making drastic lifestyle changes without medical advice.
“This study does not mean eliminating sugar from a child’s diet will reproduce what occurs in the laboratory. Severe restriction in diet can be detrimental. Kids with cancer are already malnourished, and removing important nutrients can reverse their capacity to heal and manage side-effects,” he explained.
Lifestyle Impact: Rethinking Sugar and Health Myths
The link between sugar and cancer has long been oversimplified in public discourse. Many assume that since cancer cells consume glucose, cutting out sugar can “starve” the tumour. But experts like Dr. Shaikh emphasize that human metabolism is far more complex.
In healthy individuals, the body tightly regulates blood glucose levels. Starving the body of sugar does not starve cancer cells; instead, it can weaken immunity and delay recovery, especially in children undergoing intensive treatment.
A balanced diet, rich in protein, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals, is key to supporting recovery. Foods that help maintain strength, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular repair — such as whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables — play a far greater role than outright sugar elimination.
According to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 60% of children with cancer in developing countries suffer from some form of nutritional deficiency, which can compromise treatment success. Experts suggest that dietary counselling must be part of every cancer care plan.
“A healthy diet is the cornerstone of recovery and treatment for cancer,” Dr. Shaikh said. “Every child is unique in his or her cancer type, treatment, and health. A good diet enhances immunity and healing and helps children cope with the stresses of treatment.”
Clinical Counselling and Future Prospects
Dr. Shaikh stresses the need for clinical guidance and multidisciplinary care in paediatric oncology. Parents should consult oncologists, nutritionists, and counsellors before making any dietary or therapy-related decisions.
“Patients should always consult with their oncologists before making any dietary or therapeutic change. Knowledge, evidence, and regulation are required to translate laboratory research into safe and effective clinical application,” he said.
As science continues to uncover the metabolic intricacies of cancer, this discovery in MPNST research could soon pave the way for next-generation precision therapies — treatments that disrupt cancer’s survival mechanisms while protecting healthy cells.
Pharmaceutical companies and research institutes are now exploring PPP inhibitors and metabolic blockers that could complement existing chemotherapy regimens, potentially improving survival rates in rare childhood cancers that have long defied treatment.
Conclusion: A Hopeful Future for Childhood Cancer Care
The link between sugar metabolism and tumour growth offers a new lens to understand — and eventually outsmart — one of the deadliest childhood cancers. While the road from laboratory discovery to clinical application is long, findings like this highlight how modern oncology is evolving from broad, toxic interventions to precise, personalised treatments.
For families battling cancer, this discovery offers more than just scientific progress — it represents hope, that even the most aggressive diseases can one day be conquered by understanding their hidden weaknesses.
As Dr. Shaikh reminds us, “Every breakthrough brings us closer to a future where cancer treatment is not just about survival, but about living well, with dignity and strength.”
