Targeting Cancer Metabolism: a Therapeutic Window Opens

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Drug Discov

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2011 Sep 1

PMID 21878982

Citations 702

Authors

Matthew G Vander Heiden

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Genetic events in cancer activate signalling pathways that alter cell metabolism. Clinical evidence has linked cell metabolism with cancer outcomes. Together, these observations have raised interest in targeting metabolic enzymes for cancer therapy, but they have also raised concerns that these therapies would have unacceptable effects on normal cells. However, some of the first cancer therapies that were developed target the specific metabolic needs of cancer cells and remain effective agents in the clinic today. Research into how changes in cell metabolism promote tumour growth has accelerated in recent years. This has refocused efforts to target metabolic dependencies of cancer cells as a selective anticancer strategy.

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