Increased Levels of Methylmalonic Acid May Raise the Risk of Metastasis in Older People

The article here discusses the interesting possibility that comparatively simple differences in circulating factors may be at the root of the higher risk of cancer metastasis in older people. Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells migrate from the primary tumor to form new tumors elsewhere. It is what makes cancers in much of the body hard to treat and ultimately fatal rather than merely harmful, problematic, but manageable. Thus targets that might potentially interfere in metastasis are of interest. As we get older, the risk that we will develop cancer increases, because we accumulate genetic mutations and are continually exposed to cancer-causing substances. Most cancer-causing agents are found in the environment, but some are produced by our own bodies. Researchers now report that methylmalonic acid (MMA) - a by-product of protein and fat digestion - can accumulate in the blood with age, and might promote the spread of tumours. Methylmalonic acid is produced in cells in very small amounts. Usually, it becomes linked to the molecule coenzyme A to form methylmalonyl-CoA, and is converted to succinyl-CoA in a reaction that involves vitamin B12 as a cofactor. Succinyl-CoA subsequently enters the TCA cycle - a series of chemical reactions that are a key part of energy production in the cell. Researchers report that MMA levels are significantly higher in the blood of healthy people over the age of 60 than in those under 30. The elevated level of MMA had ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs