Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism: Breaking It Down to Build It Back Up

Cancer Discov. 2015 Dec;5(12):1247-61. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-15-0671. Epub 2015 Nov 3.

Abstract

How do cancer cells escape tightly controlled regulatory circuits that link their proliferation to extracellular nutrient cues? An emerging theme in cancer biology is the hijacking of normal stress response mechanisms to enable growth even when nutrients are limiting. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the quintessential aggressive malignancy that thrives in nutrient-poor, hypoxic environments. PDAs overcome these limitations through appropriation of unorthodox strategies for fuel source acquisition and utilization. In addition, the interplay between evolving PDA and whole-body metabolism contributes to disease pathogenesis. Deciphering how these pathways function and integrate with one another can reveal novel angles of therapeutic attack.

Significance: Alterations in tumor cell and systemic metabolism are central to the biology of pancreatic cancer. Further investigation of these processes will provide important insights into how these tumors develop and grow, and suggest new approaches for its detection, prevention, and treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Energy Metabolism* / drug effects
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Glutamic Acid
  • Glucose