Research from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has established a direct link between food insecurity and increased tumor growth in pediatric neuroblastoma, one of the most lethal childhood cancers. Despite advancements in treatment, survival rates for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds remain significantly lower, raising concerns about the biological factors that contribute to these disparities.
Exploring the Biological Impact of Social Determinants
Building on previous findings from the National Institute of Health’s Children’s Oncology Group, the research team led by Erika Newman, M.D., Section Head of Pediatric Surgery and Associate Director for Health Equity at the Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center, developed a pioneering experimental model. This model aimed to simulate the challenges of food insecurity by intermittently varying access to nutrition, reflecting the unpredictable dietary situations many families face.
The study, published in Communications Biology, utilized established neuroblastoma xenograft models to investigate how these stressors influence tumor growth and biological responses. The results revealed a troubling pattern: tumors in the experimental group exposed to food insecurity grew significantly larger and bulkier. Additionally, these tumors showed elevated levels of stress hormones, specifically corticosterone, and increased activation of tumor survival pathways.
Implications for Health Policy and Patient Care
“This research builds on decades of clinical evidence linking poverty and food insecurity to poorer cancer outcomes,” stated Newman. “We aimed to define the biological mechanisms behind these disparities, illustrating how social conditions can manifest within the body and affect tumor growth.”
The implications of this study extend beyond laboratory findings, providing a translational framework that connects social determinants of health to the molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. This insight opens avenues for future studies exploring how interventions targeting nutrition and stress management could enhance treatment responses in vulnerable populations.
Newman emphasized the importance of recognizing the environments in which patients live. She argued that factors such as food access, stability, and safety are integral to understanding health outcomes. “This model serves as a scientific bridge between social context and cancer biology,” she explained.
The research emerges at a critical time, as discussions regarding federal nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), intensify amid government budget negotiations. Newman highlights that these findings underscore the urgent need for policies ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for children and families facing economic hardship.
Moreover, she advocates for systematic screening of social determinants, including food insecurity and economic strain, within pediatric and oncology practices. This approach aims to ensure that medical care addresses both biological and social contributors to health disparities.
In summary, the study conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital offers vital insights into how food insecurity can adversely affect pediatric cancer outcomes. As the medical community considers these findings, policymakers and healthcare providers are urged to address the intertwined nature of socio-economic factors and health to foster equitable outcomes for all children.
More information can be found in the work of Keyonna Williams et al., titled “Food insecurity impacts neuroblastoma pathogenesis in murine xenograft tumor models,” published in Communications Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-08678-5.
