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Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
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Metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modifications on the path to cancer
Linchong Sun1, Huafeng Zhang2,3, Ping Gao4,5,6
1Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China. sunlc@scut.edu.cn.
Protein & Cell
|May 29, 2021
Summary
Cancer cells rewire metabolism and epigenetic modifications, impacting immune evasion and tumor growth. This review explores how metabolic changes in tumor and immune cells alter epigenetic marks, offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolism
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Metabolic rewiring and epigenetic remodeling are key cancer hallmarks.
- Metabolites can act as substrates or cofactors for chromatin-modifying enzymes.
- Metabolic and epigenetic changes influence immune escape and tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interplay between metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic alterations in cancer.
- To highlight how metabolic changes in tumor and immune cells affect epigenetic modifications.
- To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting metabolism and epigenetics in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic remodeling in cancer.
- Analysis of how metabolites influence histone and DNA modifications.
- Discussion of recent advances in metabolism- and epigenetic modification-based cancer therapies.
Main Results:
- Metabolic reprogramming significantly reshapes epigenetic modifications, including histone and DNA acetylation and methylation.
- Metabolic alterations in tumor and immune cells contribute to immune escape.
- Emerging evidence links specific metabolites (succinate, hydroxybutyrate, lactate) to epigenetic regulation.
Conclusions:
- The intricate relationship between metabolism and epigenetics is crucial for cancer development and progression.
- Targeting metabolic and epigenetic pathways offers promising therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment.
- Further research into these interconnected processes can lead to novel anti-cancer strategies.
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