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Metabolic targeting of cancers: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies

Huaming Sheng1, Ben Niu, Hongbin Sun

  • 1Center for Drug Discovery, College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|May 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolism, including increased glucose uptake and glycolysis. This review explores drug targets in glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid pathways to inhibit tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Metabolic pathways

Background:

  • Tumorigenesis is linked to altered carbohydrate metabolism, notably increased glucose uptake and glycolysis (Warburg effect).
  • Inhibiting glycolysis is a proposed cancer therapeutic strategy.
  • Altered energy metabolism in cancer involves more than just glycolysis, supporting rapid cell proliferation and macromolecule synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review potential drugable targets and pharmacological inhibitors within glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid metabolic pathways in cancer.
  • To discuss upstream oncogenic signaling pathways interconnected with tumor metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of metabolic pathways in cancer.
  • Identification of drugable targets and inhibitors.
  • Analysis of oncogenic signaling pathways influencing cancer metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Several drugable targets in glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid metabolism are identified.
  • Pharmacological inhibitors for these targets are discussed.
  • The interplay between oncogenic signaling and metabolic alterations in tumors is highlighted.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting metabolic pathways offers a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Understanding the broader metabolic adaptations and upstream signaling is crucial for effective cancer therapy.

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