Cancer Cell Metabolism

Abstract

Human cancers result from multiple molecular aberrations, which act in concert with both the tumor microenvironment and metabolic macroenvironment to produce the malignant phenotype. Cancer cells exhibit fundamental differences in both anabolic and catabolic metabolism relative to their normal counterparts. Understanding cancer, the metabolic rewiring of cells that drives transformation may provide novel, selective therapeutic opportunities. This altered metabolism of cancer cells appears to be multifaceted involving the energy sensing machinery, as well as fatty acid, amino acid, and glycolytic metabolism. In this chapter, we describe several important features of the differential metabolism in cancer cells that may contribute to the development of a selective growth, proliferation, and survival advantage. We conclude with a summary of pharmaceutical interventions already in clinical use or currently under investigation that target this altered metabolism in human cancers.