Targeting Glutamine Metabolism as an Attractive Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Opinion statementRelapse after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation leads to adverse prognosis for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. As a conditionally essential amino acid, glutamine contributes to the growth and proliferation of AML cells. Glutamine-target strategies as new treatment approaches have been widely explored in AML treatment to improve outcome. Glutamine-target strategies including depletion of systemic glutamine and application of glutamine uptake inhibitors, glutamine antagonists/analogues, and glutaminase inhibitors. Because glutamine metabolism involved in multiple pathways in cells and each pathway of glutamine metabolism has many regulatory factors, therefore, AML therapy targeting glutamine metabolism should focus on how to inhibit multiple metabolic pathways without affecting normal cells and host immune to achieve effective treatment for AML.

Automated summary

Relapse after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is detrimental to the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Glutamine, as a conditionally essential amino acid, plays a role in the growth and proliferation of AML cells. Various glutamine-target strategies, including depletion of systemic glutamine and the application of glutamine uptake inhibitors, antagonists/analogues, and glutaminase inhibitors, have been extensively studied for their potential in improving AML treatment outcomes. Targeting multiple metabolic pathways without affecting normal cells and host immunity is crucial for effective AML treatment.