Translating Metabolic Interventions into Breast Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Breast cancer is a major global health concern with limited long-term efficacy of current therapies.
• Therapeutic resistance, metabolic toxicities, and recurrence remain significant challenges.
• Metabolic syndrome and dysregulation are key risk factors for breast cancer development, progression, and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the intersection of metabolic dysregulation and breast cancer.
• To evaluate preclinical and clinical evidence for metabolic therapies in breast cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current knowledge.
• Critical evaluation of preclinical and clinical studies.
• Analysis of signaling pathways (e.g., insulin/IGF, PI3K/AKT/mTOR) linking metabolism and cancer.

Main Results:

• Metabolic dysregulation is strongly associated with breast cancer progression, recurrence, and mortality.
• Anti-diabetic and anti-obesity agents demonstrate potential beyond metabolic benefits.
• These agents can directly impact tumor cell growth, immune responses, and key oncogenic pathways.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome and dysregulation are critical factors in breast cancer.
• Metabolic therapies, including anti-diabetic and anti-obesity agents, represent a promising novel therapeutic strategy.
• Further research and clinical evaluation are warranted to integrate metabolic therapies into breast cancer treatment paradigms.