Blocked Blood Flow Found to Accelerate Cancer Growth

Fast Summary

• A study led by NYU Langone Health, published in JACC-CardioOncology, links restricted blood flow (ischemia) to faster cancer growth.
• Ischemia in leg arteries,often caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD),doubles breast tumor growth rates in mice.
• PAD leads to accumulation of fatty deposits, restricting blood flow and increasing risks of heart attack, stroke, and immune dysfunction.
• Reduced blood flow shifted bone marrow stem cells towards producing immune-suppressive myeloid cells while suppressing lymphocyte output crucial for anti-cancer responses.
• These changes mimic effects seen with aging and lead to tumors accumulating more immune-suppressive cells that hinder the body’s ability to fight cancer.
• Findings suggest ischemia alters DNA accessibility in certain immune cells, creating lasting impacts on cancer immunity.
• Researchers propose early cancer screenings for PAD patients and inflammation-modulating therapies as possible prevention strategies.

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indian Opinion Analysis

This study highlights how cardiovascular health is tied directly to the effectiveness of the body’s natural defense mechanisms against cancers, here exemplified through connections between ischemia-induced changes and accelerated tumor growth. For India, where noncommunicable diseases like peripheral artery disease are rising due to urban lifestyles and poor cardiovascular health indicators among its population, these findings underline the urgent need for integrated healthcare approaches that combine cardiovascular care with preventive oncology measures.

The potential application of this research within India’s context is significant: formalized screening protocols integrating vascular disease management into routine cancer treatment strategies could improve early detection rates of both conditions among at-risk populations. Furthermore, advocating lifestyle adjustments-addressing high-fat diets or smoking-may help curb ischemia-related complications before they escalate into dual challenges for public health systems already constrained by resources.