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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
A new view of carcinogenesis and an alternative approach to cancer therapy
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. mlopezlazaro@us.es
Abstract:
During the last few decades, cancer research has focused on the idea that cancer is caused by genetic alterations and that this disease can be treated by reversing or targeting these alterations. The small variations in cancer mortality observed during the previous 30 years indicate, however, that the clinical applications of this approach have been very limited so far. The development of future gene-based therapies that may have a major impact on cancer mortality may be compromised by the high number and variability of genetic alterations recently found in human tumors. This article reviews evidence that tumor cells, in addition to acquiring a complex array of genetic changes, develop an alteration in the metabolism of oxygen. Although both changes play an essential role in carcinogenesis, the altered oxygen metabolism of cancer cells is not subject to the high genetic variability of tumors and may therefore be a more reliable target for cancer therapy. The utility of this novel approach for the development of therapies that selectively target tumor cells is discussed.
Insights
Cancer cells have genetic changes and altered oxygen metabolism. Targeting oxygen metabolism offers a more stable approach for cancer therapy than genetic alterations alone, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Metabolism
Background:
- Cancer research has long focused on genetic alterations as the primary cause and therapeutic target for cancer.
- Limited success in reducing cancer mortality over the past 30 years suggests limitations of purely genetic approaches.
- The high variability of genetic alterations in tumors poses challenges for developing effective gene-based therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting altered oxygen metabolism as a key feature of cancer cells.
- To propose targeting altered oxygen metabolism as a more reliable therapeutic strategy compared to genetic alterations.
- To discuss the potential of this approach for developing selective anti-cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature and evidence on cancer genetics and metabolism.
- Analysis of the role of oxygen metabolism in carcinogenesis.
- Comparison of the variability of genetic alterations versus metabolic alterations in tumors.
Main Results:
- Tumor cells exhibit significant alterations in oxygen metabolism alongside genetic changes.
- Altered oxygen metabolism in cancer cells is less variable than genetic alterations.
- This metabolic characteristic presents a potentially more consistent target for therapeutic intervention.
Conclusions:
- Altered oxygen metabolism is a crucial, less variable hallmark of cancer cells.
- Targeting cancer cell oxygen metabolism offers a promising and potentially more effective therapeutic avenue.
- This approach may lead to the development of novel therapies with improved selectivity for tumor cells.
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