Eating a specific tropical fruit can accidentally turn a life-saving cancer drug into a toxic overdose.
April 15, 2026
Original Paper
Pharmacokinetic Rationale for the "Dabai Effect": Dabai Fruit (Canarium odontophyllum) Interaction with Abiraterone Acetate
SSRN · 6514418
The Takeaway
In Borneo, there’s a seasonal, fatty fruit called Dabai that people love, but it has a hidden, dangerous side effect for cancer patients. Researchers found that this fruit dramatically increases how much of the prostate cancer drug abiraterone the body absorbs. Because the drug is fat-soluble, the high lipid content of the fruit acts as a 'booster' that can push drug levels into the toxic range. This means a dose that is safe in December could be dangerous during Dabai season. It’s a chilling reminder that our diet and the seasons can fundamentally change how 'safe' our medications really are. Your environment can turn your medicine into a poison without you even knowing it.
From the abstract
Background: Abiraterone acetate is widely used for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The drug is critically sensitive to dietary fat intake, whereby administration with high-fat meals can substantially increase systemic drug exposure. <br> <br> Objective: To highlight a potential food–drug interaction between abiraterone and the lipid-rich fruit Canarium odontophyllum (Dabai), which is commonly consumed in Sarawak and other regions of Borneo. <br> <br> Dis