Opinion Article, J Clin Nutr Metab Vol: 7 Issue: 1

Cellular Metabolism in Cancer: From Tumor Initiation to Therapeutic Strategies

Hsin Chou^*

¹Department of Therapeutic Nutrition, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan

*Corresponding Author: Hsin Chou
Department of Therapeutic Nutrition, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
E-mail: chouh@toku.jp

Received date: 21 February, 2023, Manuscript No. JCNM-23-95252;

Editor assigned date: 23 February, 2023, Pre QC No. JCNM-23-95252(PQ);

Reviewed date: 07 March, 2023, QC No. JCNM-23-95252;

Revised date: 14 March, 2023, Manuscript No. JCNM-23-95252(R);

Published date: 28 March, 2023, DOI: 10.35841/jcnm.1000115

Citation: Chou H (2023) Cellular Metabolism in Cancer: From Tumor Initiation to Therapeutic Strategies. J Clin Nutr Metab 7:1.

Description

Cellular metabolism plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer. Tumor cells have unique metabolic characteristics, which allow them to survive and proliferate under conditions that would normally inhibit healthy cells. This has led to increasing interest in targeting cellular metabolism as a potential strategy for cancer therapy.

Tumor initiation

Cancer is a complex disease that arises from a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal cells. Tumor initiation is the first step in the development of cancer, where normal cells acquire mutations that promote uncontrolled growth and proliferation. These mutations can affect a range of cellular processes, including metabolism.

One of the key metabolic changes that occur in tumor cells is the shift from Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis. OXPHOS is the primary mechanism by which healthy cells generate energy from glucose, whereas glycolysis is an inefficient process that produces much less energy but is able to support rapid cell growth. This switch to glycolysis is known as the Warburg effect and is a hallmark of cancer metabolism.

Warburg effect

Warburg effect is a metabolic adaptation that allows tumor cells to survive and proliferate in the severe conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells experience a range of stresses, including hypoxia (low oxygen), nutrient deprivation, and acidosis. These stresses activate a series of signaling pathways that promote the expression of genes involved in the Warburg effect.

Therapeutic strategies

The Warburg effect and other metabolic changes in tumor cells have become attractive targets for cancer therapy. A range of strategies have been developed to exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells, including:

Inhibitors of glycolysis: Several compounds have been developed that target enzymes involved in glycolysis, including hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase. These inhibitors have shown emerging results in preclinical studies and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Inhibitors of OXPHOS: Tumor cells are known to be dependent on OXPHOS for survival under certain conditions. Several compounds have been developed that target OXPHOS, including metformin, phenformin, and oligomycin. These inhibitors have shown emerging results in preclinical studies and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Nutrient deprivation: Tumor cells are known to be dependent on certain nutrients, including glucose, glutamine, and certain amino acids. Strategies that target these nutrients, either through dietary interventions or through the use of inhibitors, have shown ability in preclinical studies.

Immunotherapy: The immune system plays an important role in regulating cancer metabolism. Several immunotherapy approaches have been developed that target metabolic pathways in tumor cells, including Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cellular metabolism plays an important role in cancer initiation and progression, as well as in the development of drug resistance. Cancer cells have distinct metabolic profiles that enable them to adapt to different microenvironments and evade immune surveillance. Targeting specific metabolic pathways has emerged as a hopeful therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, and several drugs targeting metabolism are currently in clinical trials. However, the complexity of metabolic networks in cancer cells and the heterogeneity of tumors present challenges for developing effective therapies. A better understanding of the metabolic rewiring in cancer and its regulation will be difficult for the development of novel therapies.