Metabolic tricks of cancer cells

One of the characteristics of cancer cells important for tumorigenesis is their metabolic plasticity. Indeed, in various stress conditions, cancer cells can reshape their metabolic pathways to support the increased energy request due to continuous growth and rapid proliferation. Moreover, selective pressures in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia, acidosis, and competition for resources, force cancer cells to adapt by complete reorganization of their metabolism. In this review, we highlight the characteristics of cancer metabolism and discuss its clinical significance, since overcoming metabolic plasticity of cancer cells is a key objective of modern cancer therapeutics and a better understanding of metabolic reprogramming may lead to the identification of possible targets for cancer therapy.

Automated summary

Metabolic plasticity is an important characteristic of cancer cells in tumorigenesis, allowing them to reshape metabolic pathways to support increased energy demands. The selective pressures in the tumor microenvironment force cancer cells to adapt by reorganizing their metabolism. Understanding metabolic reprogramming is crucial for developing targeted therapies for cancer.