How do cancer cells replenish their fuel supply?

Background: Multiple genetic changes, availability of cellular nutrients and metabolic alterations play a pivotal role in oncogenesis AIMS: We focus on cancer cell's metabolic properties, and we outline the cross talks between cellular oncogenic growth pathways in cancer metabolism. The review also provides a synopsis of the relevant cancer drugs targeting metabolic activities that are at various stages of clinical development.

Methods: We review literature published within the last decade to include select articles that have highlighted energy metabolism crucial to the development of cancer phenotypes.

Results: Cancer cells maintain their potent metabolism and keep a balanced redox status by enhancing glycolysis and autophagy and rerouting Krebs cycle intermediates and products of β-oxydation.

Conclusions: The processes underlying cancer pathogenesis are extremely complex and remain elusive. The new field of systems biology provides a mathematical framework in which these homeostatic dysregulation principles may be examined for better understanding of cancer phenotypes. Knowledge of key players in cancer-related metabolic reprograming may pave the way for new therapeutic metabolism-targeted drugs and ultimately improve patient care.