Scientists Discover Tumor's Surprising Fuel Source

Antioxidant glutathione found to be "addictive" for cancer cells

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:10am

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Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute have discovered that cancer cells appear to be "addicted" to the antioxidant glutathione, using it as a key fuel source. This surprising finding opens new avenues for developing therapies that can restrict tumors' ability to consume glutathione, potentially slowing cancer growth.

Why it matters

The discovery that cancer cells hijack glutathione, a substance often touted for its health benefits, challenges the conventional wisdom around antioxidants and cancer. It suggests researchers may need to re-examine other common nutrients that tumors could be exploiting in unexpected ways.

The details

The study, published in the journal Nature, found that tumor samples contained abundant stores of glutathione, confirming that cancer cells are devouring this antioxidant as a nutrient source. Using preclinical breast cancer models, the team also demonstrated they could slow tumor growth by blocking the cancer's ability to use glutathione.

  • The study was published online in the journal Nature on March 18, 2026.

The players

Isaac Harris

PhD and a researcher at the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester, who led the study.

Fabio Hecht

PhD, co-corresponding author and co-first author of the study.

Marco Zocchi

PhD, co-first author of the study.

Tom Driver

PhD, a chemist at the University of Rochester who is exploring ways to improve existing drugs that could inhibit a tumor's ability to use glutathione.

Joshua Munger

PhD, professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Rochester and an expert in cancer cell metabolism, who is providing key support for the study.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe we need to re-examine the pantry that cancer relies on and look at things that we never thought could actually be used as food for tumors. There are additional complex metabolites that others are looking at, so we're potentially opening a whole new interest into how cancer cells acquire nutrients and how to block that activity. It's a really exciting time.”

— Isaac Harris, Researcher, Wilmot Cancer Institute

“Eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables is important. It can control weight, reduce inflammation, and support a healthy immune system. But people should be cautious about taking supplements in general, particularly glutathione. Taking a pill that is unregulated by the FDA and has a high concentration of glutathione can present risks.”

— Isaac Harris, Researcher, Wilmot Cancer Institute

What’s next

Researchers at the University of Rochester are exploring new ways to improve existing drugs that could inhibit a tumor's ability to use glutathione, as well as testing combinations of anti-cancer drugs in the context of dietary changes that could improve cancer outcomes.

The takeaway

This study challenges the conventional wisdom around antioxidants and cancer, suggesting researchers may need to re-examine common nutrients that tumors could be exploiting in unexpected ways. The discovery that cancer cells are "addicted" to glutathione opens new avenues for developing therapies that can restrict tumors' ability to consume this key fuel source.