Can tumor cells take it all away?
Anna Kohl1, Kung-Chi Kao1, Ping-Chih Ho1
1Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
Cell Metabolism
|June 2, 2021
Summary
Tumor cells use glucose for rapid growth, but myeloid cells in tumors actually consume more glucose. Tumor cells rely more on glutamine, revealing complex nutrient sharing in the tumor microenvironment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metabolism
- Immunology
Background:
- Tumor cells are known to utilize glucose via aerobic glycolysis to support proliferation.
- The metabolic demands and nutrient utilization within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical for cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential glucose uptake and metabolic profiles of tumor cells versus tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells.
- To elucidate the complexity of nutrient partitioning within the TME.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of glucose uptake in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells.
- Assessment of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and glutaminolysis, in both cell types within the TME.
Main Results:
- Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells demonstrate a higher capacity for glucose uptake compared to tumor cells.
- Tumor cells exhibit enhanced glutamine metabolism, indicating a specialized metabolic role.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient partitioning in the TME is more intricate than previously understood, involving distinct metabolic strategies by different cell populations.
- Myeloid cell glucose consumption and tumor cell glutamine metabolism are key features of the TME's metabolic landscape.
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