Weill Cornell Medicine study finds metabolic pathway for prostate cancer resistance

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a metabolic mechanism that allows prostate tumors to resist hormone therapy. According to a preclinical study published in Nature Metabolism, prostate cancer cells can rewire their amino acid metabolism to bypass the natural biological brakes on cholesterol production.

The study identified that the compound propionyl-CoA, which is produced when the amino acids isoleucine and valine are broken down, acts as a signal to activate cholesterol production. This process helps cancer cells adapt to the hormone-deprived environments created by medical treatments, allowing them to become more aggressive. Specifically, propionyl-CoA promotes the propionylation of the protein SREBP2, stabilizing it and keeping cholesterol-producing genes active.

This finding suggests potential new avenues for treatment. Researchers noted that this weakness could be targeted through the development of new drugs or dietary strategies aimed at reducing the levels of isoleucine and valine, which are commonly found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, and dairy.