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Updated: Jul 2, 2025

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Exploring Amino Acid Transporters as Therapeutic Targets for Cancer: An Examination of Inhibitor Structures,

Sebastian Jakobsen1, Carsten Uhd Nielsen1

  • 1Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark.

Pharmaceutics
|February 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Amino acid transporters are crucial for cancer cell growth. This review organizes information on developing inhibitors targeting these transporters, like ASCT2 and LAT1, for novel cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Amino acid transporters, part of the solute carrier family, regulate amino acid transport across cell membranes.
  • These transporters play a significant role in nutrient distribution, influencing cancer cell growth and development.
  • Consequently, amino acid transporters are emerging as promising targets for novel anticancer drug development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To consolidate current knowledge on the discovery of amino acid transporter inhibitors for cancer treatment.
  • To focus on specific transporters: ASCT2 (SLC1A5), LAT1 (SLC7A5), xCT (SLC7A11), SNAT1 (SLC38A1), SNAT2 (SLC38A2), and PAT1 (SLC36A1).

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing the function and cancer implications of key amino acid transporters.
  • Analyzing known inhibitors and challenges in developing selective inhibitors.
  • Discussing strategies and ongoing efforts in inhibitor discovery.

Main Results:

  • Several amino acid transporters are implicated in cancer progression.
  • Inhibitors targeting these transporters have been developed, with some progressing to clinical trials.
  • Challenges remain in achieving selectivity for specific transporter targets.

Conclusions:

  • Continued research into amino acid transporter inhibitors is vital for advancing cancer treatment.
  • Developing selective inhibitors offers a promising avenue for targeted cancer therapies.
  • This review aims to stimulate further research and development in this field.
Keywords:
ASCT2LAT1PAT1SNAT1SNAT2amino acidscancerinhibitorssolute carriersxCT

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