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Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
The Metabolic Remodelling in Lung Cancer and Its Putative Consequence in Therapy Response
Ana Hipólito1,2, Cindy Mendes1,2, Jacinta Serpa3,4
1CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract:
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide in both men and women. Conventional chemotherapy has failed to provide long-term benefits for many patients and in the past decade, important advances were made to understand the underlying molecular/genetic mechanisms of lung cancer, allowing the unfolding of several other pathological entities. Considering these molecular subtypes, and the appearance of promising targeted therapies, an effective personalized control of the disease has emerged, nonetheless benefiting a small proportion of patients. Although immunotherapy has also appeared as a new hope, it is still not accessible to the majority of patients with lung cancer.The metabolism of energy and biomass is the basis of cellular survival. This is true for normal cells under physiological conditions and it is also true for pathophysiologically altered cells, such as cancer cells. Thus, knowledge of the metabolic remodelling that occurs in cancer cells in the sense of, on one hand, surviving in the microenvironment of the organ in which the tumour develops and, on the other hand, escaping from drugs conditioned microenvironment, is essential to understand the disease and to develop new therapeutic approaches.
Insights
Understanding lung cancer cell metabolism is crucial for developing new treatments. Metabolic reprogramming helps cancer cells survive and resist therapies, offering new avenues for drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally.
- Conventional chemotherapy offers limited long-term benefits for many patients.
- Advances in understanding molecular subtypes have led to targeted therapies and immunotherapy, though accessibility remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of cellular metabolism in lung cancer survival and progression.
- To emphasize the need for understanding metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment.
- To underscore the potential of targeting cancer cell metabolism for novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on lung cancer molecular mechanisms.
- Analysis of cellular metabolic pathways in cancer.
- Exploration of the tumor microenvironment's influence on cancer cell metabolism.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells exhibit significant metabolic remodeling to ensure survival and biomass production.
- Metabolic adaptations are essential for cancer cells to thrive within the tumor microenvironment.
- Understanding these metabolic changes is key to overcoming therapeutic resistance.
Conclusions:
- Targeting cancer cell metabolism represents a promising frontier for developing innovative lung cancer treatments.
- Further research into metabolic reprogramming is essential for improving patient outcomes.
- Metabolic interventions could enhance the efficacy of existing therapies and overcome drug resistance.
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