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The pentose phosphate pathway and cancer
1Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|July 20, 2014
Summary
The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is crucial for cancer cell growth, providing building blocks and combating oxidative stress. Cancer cells hijack the PPP to meet their high metabolic demands and survive.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) branches from glycolysis, supplying essential molecules for biosynthesis.
- NADPH, a key product of PPP, is vital for fatty acid synthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification.
- Cancer cells rely on PPP to support their increased anabolic and oxidative stress resistance needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental functions of the pentose phosphate pathway.
- To summarize the regulation of PPP in cancer cells.
- To highlight the importance of PPP in cancer cell metabolism and survival.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on the pentose phosphate pathway.
- Analysis of the role of PPP in cancer cell metabolism.
- Examination of PPP regulation in neoplastic lesions.
Main Results:
- The PPP is essential for synthesizing ribonucleotides and generating NADPH.
- NADPH produced by PPP is critical for fatty acid synthesis and ROS scavenging in cancer cells.
- Evidence suggests cancer cells adapt to increase glucose flux into the PPP.
Conclusions:
- The pentose phosphate pathway plays a pivotal role in cancer cell survival.
- Enhanced PPP activity helps cancer cells meet anabolic demands and resist oxidative stress.
- Understanding PPP regulation is key to targeting cancer metabolism.
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