Targeting glutamine metabolism as a therapeutic strategy for cancer

Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Published online: 03 April 2023; doi:10.1038/s12276-023-00971-9Further insights into metabolic reprogramming by cancer cells are needed to determine if targeting glutamine metabolism could be a useful therapeutic approach. Cancer cells rely on the amino acid glutamine for growth and proliferation. Glutamine is a key nitrogen source and enables the cells to synthesize critical molecules including lipids and metabolites. Blocking glutamine metabolism may be useful in treating cancers, but care must be taken due to glutamine’s multiple roles. Keun-Gyu Park and Yeon-Kyung Choi at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea, and co-workers reviewed current knowledge of the steps involved in glutamine metabolism to identify opportunities for intervention. Cancers can evade glutamine metabolism inhibition by manipulating the tumor microenvironment and finding alternative ways to source nutrients. Drug trials have targeted aspects of glutamine metabolism with mixed success, inhibition of glutamine transporters showing promise.
Source: Experimental and Molecular Medicine - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Source Type: research