Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Quantitative Histology to Measure Dynamic Changes in the Glucose Metabolism in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer
Published on: July 21, 2018
Glutamine: a new strategy for targeted metabolic therapy in the tumor microenvironment
Haixu Lv1, Xiao Han2, Yuanshuang Yang2
1Department of Surgery, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China.
Abstract:
In the tumor microenvironment, glutamine has a profound impact not only on the growth, metabolism, metastasis, and invasion of tumor cells but also on the survival and function of immune cells and the behavior of nonimmune cells. Given the limited amount of glutamine in the tumor microenvironment, there is a competitive relationship between tumor and nontumor cells. Owing to the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, many nutrients, including glutamine, are necessary for tumor cells to maintain their rapid growth and high metabolic demand. Therefore, tumor cells are in a superior position to compete for glutamine. These findings provide solid theoretical support for targeting glutamine metabolism for anticancer therapy. This review summarizes the importance and necessity of glutamine for tumor cells and nontumor cells in the tumor microenvironment. According to the mechanism of action of glutamine in tumor cells and the regulatory mechanism of related signaling pathways, the currently developed anticancer drugs that target glutamine metabolism are categorized on a scientific basis, and the importance of basic medicine applied in clinical medicine is emphasized. This review not only provides anticancer information for clinicians but also brings hope to cancer patients.
Insights
Cancer cells aggressively compete for glutamine in the tumor microenvironment, impacting cell growth and immune function. Targeting glutamine metabolism offers a promising anticancer therapy strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metabolism
- Immunology
Background:
- Glutamine is crucial for tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion within the tumor microenvironment.
- Tumor cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming, creating a competitive advantage for glutamine acquisition over non-tumor cells.
- This competition influences immune cell survival/function and non-immune cell behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of glutamine in both tumor and non-tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of glutamine action in tumor cells and associated signaling pathways.
- To categorize existing anticancer drugs targeting glutamine metabolism and highlight clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of glutamine's role in cancer metabolism.
- Analysis of signaling pathways regulating glutamine metabolism in tumors.
- Categorization of glutamine metabolism-targeting anticancer drugs based on mechanisms of action.
Main Results:
- Tumor cells possess a superior ability to compete for glutamine due to metabolic reprogramming.
- Glutamine metabolism is essential for tumor cell growth, survival, and invasion.
- Targeting glutamine metabolism presents a viable therapeutic strategy against cancer.
Conclusions:
- Understanding glutamine's role in the tumor microenvironment is vital for developing effective anticancer therapies.
- Targeting glutamine metabolism offers a promising avenue for novel cancer treatments.
- Bridging basic research with clinical application is key to advancing cancer therapy.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...