Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer

Abstract

This article reviews the molecular mechanisms that regulate the metabolism of cancer cells, as well as the possible therapeutic targets that could be exploited to interfere with their growth and survival. The article begins by explaining the Warburg effect, which is the preference of cancer cells for anaerobic glycolysis instead of oxidative respiration, even in the presence of oxygen. The article argues that this effect not only has an energetic purpose, but also a biosynthetic one, as it allows cancer cells to obtain the precursors necessary for the synthesis of lipids, nucleotides and proteins. Next, the article analyzes the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to metabolic reprogramming in cancer, such as mutations in oncogenic or tumor suppressor genes, the tumor microenvironment, inflammation and metabolic diseases. Finally, the article describes some of the therapeutic strategies that are being developed to inhibit or reverse metabolic reprogramming in cancer, such as inhibitors of glycolysis, glutaminolysis, lipogenesis and nucleotide biosynthesis.