On December 17, 2025, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine revealed that folate deficiency may play a significant role in genetic alterations that contribute to cancer, particularly lung tumors. Dr. John Blenis, a professor in pharmacology, highlighted that while past research primarily focused on known carcinogens like tobacco smoke and radiation, the implications of metabolism have largely been overlooked.
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The team, including Dr. Guillermo Burgos-Barragan, co-led findings indicating that low folate levels, a vitamin crucial for cell growth, may trigger specific genetic changes associated with various human cancers. "Researchers have known about these genetic changes for many years, but no one knew what caused them," Burgos-Barragan stated. He emphasized that their data suggests folate deficiency substantially influences lung cancer development and progression.
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, represents approximately 20% of all cancer fatalities. Although smoking is recognized as the primary risk factor, the research addresses the enigma surrounding why some non-smokers develop the disease while some smokers do not.
In the study, mice on a folate-deficient diet developed more aggressive lung tumors and exhibited lower survival rates compared to those with normal diets. This supports the idea that dietary folate significantly impacts cancer progression, including metastasis and overall survival.
“This is more than just a correlation. We have defined a novel mechanism that outlines how genetic changes occur on a molecular level,” Dr. Blenis noted. He suggested that understanding this pathway could lead to new drugs and biomarkers for specific cancers.
The research underscores a connection between nutrition and genetic alterations in cancer, pointing towards potential dietary strategies for prevention and treatment. As the study is in its early stages, additional testing is necessary before any clinical applications can be realized.
Dr. Burgos-Barragan remarked, “This is only the beginning. We are exploring how folate and other nutrients might cause or prevent genetic changes across different cancer types.” Ultimately, the goal is to find methods to prevent cancer initiation or impede its progression.