Non-enzymatic glycoxidation linked with nutrition enhances the tumorigenic capacity of prostate cancer epithelia through AGE mediated activation of RAGE in cancer associated fibroblasts

•Nutrition associated glycoxidation promotes aggressive prostate tumor growth.•AGEs, the final product of glycoxidation were a key pro-tumorigenic effector.•Dietary-AGE mediated effects were dependent upon stromal RAGE expression.•AGE-RAGE signaling caused a regulatory program of activated stroma & CAF activation.•Dietary-AGE effects were reproduced using in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro models. The molecular implications of food consumption on cancer etiology are poorly defined. The rate of nutrition associated non-enzymatic glycoxidation, a reaction that occurs between reactive carbonyl groups on linear sugars and nucleophilic amino, lysyl and arginyl groups on fats and proteins, is rapidly increased by food cooking and manufacturing processes. In this study, we assign nutrition-associated glycoxidation with significant oncogenic potential, promoting prostate tumor growth, progression, and metastasis in vivo. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are the final irreversible product of non-enzymatic glycoxidation. Exogenous treatment of prostate tumor cells with a single AGE peptide replicated glycoxidation induced tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, receptor for AGE (RAGE) deficiency in the stroma inhibited AGE mediated tumor growth. Functionally, AGE treatment induced RAGE dimerization in activated fibroblasts which sustained and increased the migratory potential of tumor epithelial cells. These data identify a novel nutrition associated pathway that can promote a tissue microenvironment conducive for aggressive tumor growth. Targeted and/or interventional strategies aimed at reducing AGE bioavailability as a consequence of nutrition may be viewed as novel chemoprevention initiatives.