Scientists at UC San Francisco have developed an innovative cancer treatment using engineered fat cells to starve tumors. By transforming ordinary fat into high-energy “beige” fat through CRISPR gene editing, researchers have engineered cells that outcompete cancer cells for vital nutrients, effectively starving tumors and halting their growth.
How It Works
Fat cells exist in different forms—white fat stores energy, while beige fat burns calories. By reprogramming white fat into beige fat, scientists transformed these cells into metabolic sponges, depriving tumors of essential nutrients. In mouse models, implanted modified fat cells successfully starved tumors, even when placed far from the cancer site, highlighting their systemic potential.
Practical and Rapidly Deployable
One of the biggest advantages of this technique is its practicality. Fat cells are already harvested and reinjected in routine medical procedures like liposuction and plastic surgery, making them an ideal platform for cellular therapy. “These fat cells can be easily manipulated in the lab and safely placed back into the body,” said Nadav Ahituv, PhD, director of the UCSF Institute for Human Genetics.
Potential Impact
This approach could reduce reliance on harsh treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which often cause severe side effects. Additionally, using the body’s own cells minimizes risks associated with immune rejection. If successful in human trials, this approach could offer a more targeted and less invasive treatment, especially for aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers.
By combining gene editing with existing medical techniques, this research paves the way for a new era in precision medicine. Engineered fat cells may soon become a groundbreaking tool in cancer therapy, offering patients a safer and more effective treatment option.
