Hydrogen sulfide operates as a glioblastoma suppressor and is lost under high fat diet.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest and aggressive forms of brain cancer. Environmental and intrinsic factors such as Western Diet and advanced age can function as powerful accelerants to the progression of GBM. Recently, we discovered that pre-clinical GBM models subject to an obesogenic and age-accelerating high fat diet (HFD) presented with hyperaggressive GBM phenotypes, including treatment-refractory cancer stem cell (CSC) enrichment. Mechanistically, HFD suppressed production of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and its downstream sulfhydration signaling in the brain. Likewise, we observed dramatic loss of sulfhydration in brains of GBM patients. Importantly, we showed the tumor suppressive effects of H₂S against GBM in cell culture and in vivo. Here, we discuss these recent findings and provide insight into how they can be leveraged to improve treatment modalities, prognosis, and quality of life for GBM patients.