How Palm Oil Builds a ‘Neural Network’ for Cancer to Spread

Smart Way January 12, 2026

Groundbreaking research published in the journal Nature has identified a specific mechanism by which palmitic acid—a primary component of palm oil—fuels the spread of cancer. The study, led by IRB Barcelona, reveals that this fatty acid essentially "reprograms" cancer cells, making them more aggressive and capable of colonizing other parts of the body.

The Palm Oil Connection: Fueling Metastasis

While fatty acids are essential building blocks for the body, not all fats affect cancer in the same way. The study compared several common dietary fats and found striking differences:

Palmitic Acid (Palm Oil): Strongly promotes the spread (metastasis) of oral cancer and melanoma in mice.
Healthy fats like those in olive oil and flaxseeds (omega-9 and omega-6) showed no link to increased cancer metastasis in the study.
Initial Risk: Importantly, none of these fats increased the risk of developing cancer initially; their impact was strictly on how existing cancer spreads.

"Cancer Memory": How Palmitic Acid Changes the Genome

The most alarming discovery was the "memory" effect. Even after palmitic acid was removed from the diet, cancer cells remained highly metastatic. This is due to epigenetic changes—modifications that act like "on/off" switches for genes without changing the DNA sequence itself.

The Neural Network Strategy:

These epigenetic shifts allow tumor cells to build a neural network around themselves. This network enables the tumor to "talk" to its environment and coordinate its spread to other organs more efficiently.

From Discovery to Clinical Trial

Rather than simply suggesting a change in diet, the researchers are focusing on a "first-in-class" medical treatment to block this process.

Targeted Therapy: Scientists have identified a way to interrupt the communication between the tumor and its neural network.
Clinical Trials: A start-up called ONA Therapeutics has secured 30 million euros to develop antibody treatments. Expected clinical trials are to begin within the next two years.
Global Impact: With metastasis responsible for 90% of cancer deaths (roughly 9 million people annually), this therapy could represent a massive shift in how we treat advanced stages of the disease.

“This is a massive breakthrough. By uncovering exactly how diet fuels cancer, we’ve found the key to starting a new era of cancer cures that could save millions of lives.” — Dr. Helen Rippon, CEO of Worldwide Cancer Research

Summary Table: Diet and Cancer Spread

Fatty Acid	Common Source	Effect on Metastasis
Palmitic Acid	Palm Oil	High (Causes long-term genetic "memory")
Oleic Acid	Olive Oil	None
Linoleic Acid	Flaxseeds	None

Disclaimer: This content is published only for health awareness and informational purposes. It's not a substitute for your professional medical advice. You must consult a doctor/healthcare professional regarding your specific health concerns.

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