A groundbreaking study reveals that blocked blood flow anywhere in the body doubles cancer growth rates by weaponizing your own immune system against you.

Story Highlights

• NYU researchers discovered restricted blood flow makes tumors grow twice as fast by aging bone marrow
• Ischemia anywhere in the body weakens immune defenses, allowing cancer cells to multiply unchecked
• Study links cardiovascular disease directly to accelerated cancer progression through immune system failure
• Findings suggest millions with peripheral artery disease face dramatically higher cancer risks than previously known

Blood Flow Restriction Doubles Tumor Growth Rates

NYU Langone Health researchers published alarming findings in JACC: CardioOncology showing that restricted blood flow accelerates cancer growth by devastating the immune system. Their mouse studies demonstrated breast tumors growing at twice the normal rate when blood flow to legs was blocked. Dr. Kathryn Moore explained that impaired blood flow drives cancer growth regardless of location in the body, fundamentally changing how we understand cancer progression mechanisms.

Blocked blood flow makes cancer grow fasterhttps://t.co/qpwSArYDrT
Jessie M. Dalman, Kathryn J. Moore. Cancer Development in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. JACC: CardioOncology, 2025; 7 (5): 514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccao.2025.05.016

— Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP (@weldeiry) September 12, 2025

Immune System Aging Mechanism Exposed

The research identified a sinister biological process where ischemia prematurely ages bone marrow stem cells, mimicking natural immune decline. Dr. Alexandra Newman discovered that restricted blood flow reprograms stem cells to favor immune-suppressing cells over cancer-fighting ones. This creates an environment where tumors thrive unopposed, essentially turning the body’s defense system into cancer’s ally through accelerated immune aging.

Cardiovascular Disease Creates Cancer Highway

The study establishes a direct mechanistic link between vascular disease and cancer progression, affecting millions with peripheral artery disease and atherosclerosis. Previous epidemiological observations now have biological proof that cardiovascular conditions don’t just correlate with cancer risk—they actively fuel tumor growth. This discovery demands immediate attention to vascular health as a critical component of cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Treatment Implications and Future Research

Researchers are investigating anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drugs as potential interventions to combat this ischemia-cancer connection. The team plans clinical studies to validate these mouse model findings in human patients, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment approaches. NYU Langone is expanding oncology services including bone marrow transplants and CAR T-cell therapy to address these complex interactions between cardiovascular disease and cancer progression.

This research underscores the critical importance of maintaining cardiovascular health not just for heart disease prevention, but as a fundamental defense against cancer. The findings challenge current medical approaches that treat these conditions separately rather than addressing their dangerous intersection.

Sources:

Restricted Blood Flow Supercharges Cancer Growth, Study Finds – ScitechDaily
NYU Langone Health News – Wednesday August 20, 2025
Blocked blood flow makes cancer grow faster – ScienceDaily
Restricted Blood Flow Speeds Tumor Growth by Aging Immune System – NYU Langone Health