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Liu X, Ren B, Ren J, Gu M, You L, Zhao Y. The significant role of amino acid metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:380. [PMID: 39069612 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01760-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Amino acid metabolism plays a pivotal role in tumor microenvironment, influencing various aspects of cancer progression. The metabolic reprogramming of amino acids in tumor cells is intricately linked to protein synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, modulation of signaling pathways, regulation of tumor cell metabolism, maintenance of oxidative stress homeostasis, and epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, the dysregulation of amino acid metabolism also impacts tumor microenvironment and tumor immunity. Amino acids can act as signaling molecules that modulate immune cell function and immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment, reshaping the anti-tumor immune response and promoting immune evasion by cancer cells. Moreover, amino acid metabolism can influence the behavior of stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, regulate ECM remodeling and promote angiogenesis, thereby facilitating tumor growth and metastasis. Understanding the intricate interplay between amino acid metabolism and the tumor microenvironment is of crucial significance. Expanding our knowledge of the multifaceted roles of amino acid metabolism in tumor microenvironment holds significant promise for the development of more effective cancer therapies aimed at disrupting the metabolic dependencies of cancer cells and modulating the tumor microenvironment to enhance anti-tumor immune responses and inhibit tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
| | - Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
| | - Minzhi Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China.
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China.
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R, 100023, China.
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China.
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, P.R, China.
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Holbert CE, Casero RA, Stewart TM. Polyamines: the pivotal amines in influencing the tumor microenvironment. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:173. [PMID: 38761252 PMCID: PMC11102423 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular proliferation, function and survival is reliant upon maintaining appropriate intracellular polyamine levels. Due to increased metabolic needs, cancer cells elevate their polyamine pools through coordinated metabolism and uptake. High levels of polyamines have been linked to more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) as polyamines support the growth and function of many immunosuppressive cell types such as MDSCs, macrophages and regulatory T-cells. As cancer cells and other pro-tumorigenic cell types are highly dependent on polyamines for survival, pharmacological modulation of polyamine metabolism is a promising cancer therapeutic strategy. This review covers the roles of polyamines in various cell types of the TME including both immune and stromal cells, as well as how competition for nutrients, namely polyamine precursors, influences the cellular landscape of the TME. It also details the use of polyamines as biomarkers and the ways in which polyamine depletion can increase the immunogenicity of the TME and reprogram tumors to become more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E Holbert
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Casero
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracy Murray Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Murawski M, Jagodziński A, Bielawska-Pohl A, Klimczak A. Complexity of the Genetic Background of Oncogenesis in Ovarian Cancer-Genetic Instability and Clinical Implications. Cells 2024; 13:345. [PMID: 38391958 PMCID: PMC10886918 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among women with gynecological cancers, and is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor outcomes. This review explores genetic aspects of high-grade serous, endometrioid, and clear-cell ovarian carcinomas, emphasizing personalized treatment approaches. Specific mutations such as TP53 in high-grade serous and BRAF/KRAS in low-grade serous carcinomas highlight the need for tailored therapies. Varying mutation prevalence across subtypes, including BRCA1/2, PTEN, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and c-myc amplification, offers potential therapeutic targets. This review underscores TP53's pivotal role and advocates p53 immunohistochemical staining for mutational analysis. BRCA1/2 mutations' significance as genetic risk factors and their relevance in PARP inhibitor therapy are discussed, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing. This review also addresses the paradoxical better prognosis linked to KRAS and BRAF mutations in ovarian cancer. ARID1A, PIK3CA, and PTEN alterations in platinum resistance contribute to the genetic landscape. Therapeutic strategies, like restoring WT p53 function and exploring PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, are considered. The evolving understanding of genetic factors in ovarian carcinomas supports tailored therapeutic approaches based on individual tumor genetic profiles. Ongoing research shows promise for advancing personalized treatments and refining genetic testing in neoplastic diseases, including ovarian cancer. Clinical genetic screening tests can identify women at increased risk, guiding predictive cancer risk-reducing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Murawski
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Adam Jagodziński
- 1st Clinical Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Bielawska-Pohl
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
| | - Aleksandra Klimczak
- Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.B.-P.); (A.K.)
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Vízkeleti L, Spisák S. Rewired Metabolism Caused by the Oncogenic Deregulation of MYC as an Attractive Therapeutic Target in Cancers. Cells 2023; 12:1745. [PMID: 37443779 PMCID: PMC10341379 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most deregulated oncogenes on multiple levels in cancer. As a node transcription factor, MYC plays a diverse regulatory role in many cellular processes, including cell cycle and metabolism, both in physiological and pathological conditions. The relentless growth and proliferation of tumor cells lead to an insatiable demand for energy and nutrients, which requires the rewiring of cellular metabolism. As MYC can orchestrate all aspects of cellular metabolism, its altered regulation plays a central role in these processes, such as the Warburg effect, and is a well-established hallmark of cancer development. However, our current knowledge of MYC suggests that its spatial- and concentration-dependent contribution to tumorigenesis depends more on changes in the global or relative expression of target genes. As the direct targeting of MYC is proven to be challenging due to its relatively high toxicity, understanding its underlying regulatory mechanisms is essential for the development of tumor-selective targeted therapies. The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the diverse forms of MYC oncogenic deregulation, including DNA-, transcriptional- and post-translational level alterations, and their consequences for cellular metabolism. Furthermore, we also review the currently available and potentially attractive therapeutic options that exploit the vulnerability arising from the metabolic rearrangement of MYC-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vízkeleti
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Sándor Spisák
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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