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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells
Published on: November 21, 2018
Novel therapeutic targets of tumor metabolism
Rigel J Kishton1, Jeffrey C Rathmell
1From the Departments of *Pharmacology and Cancer Biology and †Immunology and ‡Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Abstract:
The study of tumor metabolism has resulted in new understandings of how cancer cells modify metabolic pathways that control cellular energetics to allow increased proliferation and survival. Tumor cells have been shown to alter metabolic pathways involved in glucose, glutamine, and mitochondrial metabolism to generate raw materials needed for rapid cellular proliferation, maintain favorable cellular redox environments, modify cellular epigenetics, and even promote and maintain oncogenic transformation. As a consequence, there has been intense scientific and clinical interest in targeting metabolic alterations that are commonly adopted by tumor cells for therapeutic purposes. In this review, we describe common metabolic alterations seen in tumor cells and discuss how these alterations are being investigated as potential targets for pharmacological intervention in preclinical and clinical settings. We also discuss some of the challenges associated with using tumor metabolism as a therapeutic target in cancer therapy, along with potential avenues to overcome these challenges.
Insights
Cancer cells reprogram metabolism for growth and survival. Targeting these tumor metabolism alterations offers promising therapeutic strategies, despite challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Metabolic Pathways
Background:
- Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolic pathways to support rapid proliferation and survival.
- Key metabolic alterations involve glucose, glutamine, and mitochondrial metabolism.
- These metabolic changes are crucial for generating building blocks, maintaining redox balance, and epigenetic modifications in tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common metabolic alterations in tumor cells.
- To discuss the investigation of these alterations as therapeutic targets.
- To explore challenges and potential solutions for targeting tumor metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of tumor metabolism research.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical studies on metabolic targets.
- Discussion of pharmacological interventions and their challenges.
Main Results:
- Common metabolic alterations in cancer cells are identified.
- Numerous metabolic pathways are being explored for therapeutic targeting.
- Challenges in clinical translation and potential overcoming strategies are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Targeting tumor metabolism is a significant area of cancer therapy research.
- Understanding metabolic reprogramming is key to developing effective cancer treatments.
- Overcoming challenges is crucial for realizing the full therapeutic potential of targeting cancer metabolism.
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