New study reveals how glucose enhances T cell immunity against cancer

Beyond being energy fuel, glucose builds crucial cellular structures that help T cells communicate more effectively and attack tumours with greater precision. (Image: Pexels)

While glucose has long been associated as the energy nutrient, a new ground-breaking research by Van Andel Research Institute shows there is far more to this familiar sugar than what meets the eye.

According to a study published in Cell Metabolism, scientists suggest that glucose is crucial in strengthening the immunity of a body not just as a rich source of energy, but by acting as a molecular building block that boosts the cancer-fighting capacity of T cells.

For a long time scientists believed that glucose was the main source of energy for T cells. However, Joseph Longo, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study, explains that "we didn't know exactly why" glucose mattered so much. It turns out, T cells channel a substantial portion of glucose into the production of glycosphingolipids (GSLs)—sugar-fat compounds essential for robust immune signalling

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These GSLs assemble into lipid rafts—fat-enriched patches on the T-cell surface where key signalling proteins cluster. The rafts serve as command centres, coordinating the immune system's instructions for T cells to recognise and destroy tumour cells. Insufficient GSLs cause these lipid rafts and the immune signals they support to degrade, which weakens the body's ability to combat cancer.

Senior author of the study, Russell Jones, adds, "The more we understand about different fuel sources, the better we can support T cells’ innate cancer-fighting abilities." Jones also highlights that this new finding may help identify new ways of improving immunotherapy.

Why It Is Important for Health & Fitness

• While limiting sugar intake is still important for metabolic health, this study quietly highlights the complex role glucose plays in immunity.
• Knowing how glucose affects T-cell strength could help develop dietary and medical approaches that increase immunotherapy's efficacy.
• You can make lifestyle decisions that promote long-term immune resilience by knowing that nutrients are utilised for purposes other than fuel.