Metabolic reprogramming in cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutics

• Published in: MedComm (2020) Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. e218 - n/a
• Main Authors: Nong, Shiqi, Han, Xiaoyue, Xiang, Yu, Qian, Yuran, Wei, Yuhao, Zhang, Tingyue, Tian, Keyue, Shen, Kai, Yang, Jing, Ma, Xuelei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.04.2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Cancer; cancer metabolism; cancer therapy; glycolysis; metabolic reprogramming; Metabolism; Review; Reviews; cancer metabolism; cancer therapy; metabolic reprogramming; glycolysis
• ISSN: 2688-2663; 2688-2663
• DOI: 10.1002/mco2.218

Cancer cells characterized by uncontrolled growth and proliferation require altered metabolic processes to maintain this characteristic. Metabolic reprogramming is a process mediated by various factors, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, changes in growth factors, and tumor–host cell interactions, which help to meet the needs of cancer cell anabolism and promote tumor development. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells is dynamically variable, depending on the tumor type and microenvironment, and reprogramming involves multiple metabolic pathways. These metabolic pathways have complex mechanisms and involve the coordination of various signaling molecules, proteins, and enzymes, which increases the resistance of tumor cells to traditional antitumor therapies. With the development of cancer therapies, metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a new therapeutic target for metabolic changes in tumor cells. Therefore, understanding how multiple metabolic pathways in cancer cells change can provide a reference for the development of new therapies for tumor treatment. Here, we systemically reviewed the metabolic changes and their alteration factors, together with the current tumor regulation treatments and other possible treatments that are still under investigation. Continuous efforts are needed to further explore the mechanism of cancer metabolism reprogramming and corresponding metabolic treatments. This article presented the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells to adapt to their microenvironment distinct from normal cells. And this study reviewed the driving factors of metabolic reprogramming, the specific metabolic pathway changes affected, and the related treatment options, in order to provide some suggestions for future tumor treatment.