Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Sodium butyrate may help some cancer cells respond to drugs
Researchers at the University of Bari studied drug resistance in cancer cells from the colon, breast and liver.
They compared cells that responded to drugs with cells that had become resistant.
Resistant cells showed higher levels of D-lactate and the enzyme GLO1, which helps produce it.
The team tested sodium butyrate, a form of a substance also made by gut bacteria when they ferment dietary fibre.
It reduced GLO1 activity and increased drug sensitivity in some of the cell models.
The strongest effects were seen in colon and breast cancer cells, while liver cancer cells responded differently.
The findings may help guide research into drug resistance, but the study tested cells, not people.
A study from the University of Aldo Moro in Bari found sodium butyrate may make some cancer cells more sensitive to drugs.
Researchers compared drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells from colon, breast and liver cancers.
Drug-resistant cells in all three models had higher D-lactate production and increased expression and activity of the enzyme GlO1.
Sodium butyrate reduced GlO1 activity and increased drug sensitivity in some models, with the strongest effects in colon and breast cancer cells.
The response differed in the liver cancer model.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of Aldo Moro in Bari, coordinated by Professor Antonio Mazzocca.
- What
- A study found sodium butyrate may reduce GlO1 activity and increase some cancer cells’ sensitivity to drugs.
- When
- Published on 2026-11-12.
- Where
- The study was conducted at the University of Aldo Moro in Bari. It examined colon, breast and liver cancer cell models.
- Why
- Researchers investigated how cancer cells survive treatment and whether sodium butyrate could help address drug resistance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers compared drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells from colon, breast and liver cancer models.
Researchers tested sodium butyrate and observed reduced GlO1 activity and greater drug sensitivity in some models.
The study was reported by ANSA as published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
- Institution
- University of Aldo Moro in Bari
- Study coordinator
- Professor Antonio Mazzocca
- Cancer models examined
- Colon, breast and liver
- Enzyme
- GlO1
- Publication
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Study report date
- 2026-11-12
What people are saying
Understanding how cancer cells modify their metabolism to adapt to drugs is an important step in identifying new strategies against drug resistance.