# Sucrose fuels liver cancer cell growth and spheroid formation: New insights from 2D and 3D cell culture models

## TL;DR

This study shows that sucrose promotes liver cancer cell growth and spheroid formation, which could impact drug discovery and cancer research.

## Contribution

The study reveals that 10 mM/l sucrose enhances liver cancer cell growth and spheroid formation, challenging previous assumptions.

## Key findings

- Sucrose at 10 mM/l increases liver cancer cell growth and spheroid formation.
- Sucrose treatment elevates alpha-fetoprotein levels without affecting albumin levels, suggesting a more malignant state.
- Live imaging shows no significant differences in cell membrane behavior or morphology between treated and untreated groups.

## Abstract

Although there have been studies on the effect of sucrose on cell growth in various cancer types and spheroid formation, further research on whether sucrose supports the development of liver cancer cells would be instrumental for the development of more effective in vitro 3D models for drug discovery. Thus, the present study examined the effects of sucrose on the growth of liver cancer cells. The results revealed that sucrose at a concentration of 10 mM/l was associated with the increased growth of liver cancer cells and enhanced their ability to form spheroids. These findings challenge previous assumptions, as spheroid formation is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. Furthermore, the observed increase in the levels of in alpha-fetoprotein (a marker for liver cancer) with unaltered albumin levels (a marker for healthy liver function) suggested a potential shift towards a more malignant state. Live imaging revealed no significant differences in cell membrane behavior and the morphology of the cancer cells between the sucrose-treated and untreated groups. On the whole, while the present study primarily focuses on phenotypic outcomes, the mechanisms underlying these observations remain to be elucidated in future studies.