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Cancer as a Metabolic Disorder
Jones Gyamfi1,2, Jinyoung Kim1, Junjeong Choi1
1Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Veritas Hall D 306, 85 Songdogwahak-ro, Incheon 21983, Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 15, 2022
Summary
Cancer is increasingly viewed as a metabolic disorder, not just a genetic disease. Altered metabolism, affecting glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid pathways, is common across many cancers and may drive tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic pathways
- Cancer biology
Background:
- Cancer is traditionally viewed as a genetic disease driven by mutations.
- Emerging evidence suggests metabolic dysregulation is a fundamental cause of cancer.
- Key oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes often maintain altered cancer metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting altered metabolic states in cancer.
- To highlight common metabolic alterations across cancer subtypes.
- To propose a paradigm shift in viewing cancer as a metabolic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of key alterations in cancer metabolism.
- Analysis of changes in glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid metabolism.
- Comparison of metabolic alterations with genetic alterations in cancer.
Main Results:
- Metabolic alterations are more prevalent than genetic alterations across diverse cancer types.
- Key pathways affected include glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid metabolism.
- Altered metabolism is a common feature, potentially underlying tumor initiation and progression.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing cancer as a metabolic disorder offers new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.
- Metabolic pathways represent promising targets for cancer management.
- Understanding cancer's metabolic basis can significantly impact treatment strategies.
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