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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
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Drugging cancer metabolism: Expectations vs. reality
David C Montrose1, Lorenzo Galluzzi2
1Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.
International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|August 28, 2019
Summary
Cancer cells display altered metabolism, like the Warburg effect, offering therapeutic targets. However, metabolic heterogeneity and pathway similarities to normal cells hinder drug development and clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metabolism
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Neoplastic cells exhibit significant metabolic alterations compared to normal cells.
- These changes are driven by genetic/epigenetic factors and the tumor microenvironment.
- The Warburg effect, increased glucose uptake for anabolism and antioxidant defense, is a key metabolic hallmark.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize major metabolic alterations during oncogenesis.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting cancer bioenergetic metabolism.
- To identify obstacles hindering clinical translation of metabolic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of major metabolic alterations in cancer.
- Analysis of the Warburg effect and other metabolic shifts.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting cancer metabolism.
- Examination of challenges in clinical application.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells exhibit diverse metabolic changes, including the Warburg effect.
- Targeting cancer metabolism presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Significant heterogeneity and redundancy in cancer metabolic pathways exist.
- Similarities between cancer and normal cell metabolism pose challenges.
Conclusions:
- Targeting cancer cell metabolism holds therapeutic promise.
- Drug development is hampered by metabolic heterogeneity and pathway overlap with normal cells.
- Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for successful clinical translation of metabolic therapies.
Keywords:
GlutamineKrebs cycleOxidative phosphorylationPentose phosphate pathwayReductive carboxylationSerineMore Related Videos
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