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Metabolic reprogramming in KRAS-mutant cancers: Proven targetable vulnerabilities and potential therapeutic

Ruilin Wu1, Hong Zhu2, Qiaojun He3

  • 1Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Drug Discovery Today
|October 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in KRAS-mutant cancers is crucial. This review explores metabolic reprogramming in these tumors and discusses therapeutic strategies against these aggressive cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Metabolism

Background:

  • Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is a frequently mutated oncogene, often considered 'untargetable' in cancer.
  • While KRASG12C inhibitors exist, their limited impact necessitates novel therapeutic approaches for KRAS-mutant cancers.
  • KRAS-driven tumors display distinct metabolic hallmarks, including altered glycolysis, glutamine dependency, and lipid metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding the metabolic network of KRAS-mutated tumor cells.
  • To identify and discuss potential targetable metabolic vulnerabilities in KRAS-mutant cancers.
  • To outline clinical developments and challenges in targeting KRAS-mutant cancers via metabolic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on KRAS mutation and cancer metabolism.
  • Analysis of metabolic reprogramming in KRAS-driven tumors.
  • Synthesis of information on therapeutic strategies and clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • KRAS-mutant cancers exhibit significant metabolic reprogramming, including upregulated glycolysis and glutamine addiction.
  • Metabolic vulnerabilities such as lipid droplet accumulation and active macropinocytosis are characteristic of these tumors.
  • Targeting these metabolic alterations presents a promising avenue for novel cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the metabolic landscape of KRAS-mutant cancers is key to developing effective treatments.
  • Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities offers a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of current therapies.
  • Further research and clinical development are needed to improve therapeutic strategies against aggressive KRAS-mutant cancers.
Keywords:
KRAS-mutant cancersclinical practicemetabolic reprogrammingtherapeutic strategies

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