One-carbon metabolism for cancer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Ayumu Asai; Masamitsu Konno; Jun Koseki; Masateru Taniguchi; Andrea Vecchione; Hideshi Ishii

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.023

One-carbon metabolism for cancer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches

Cancer Lett. 2020 Feb 1:470:141-148. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.023. Epub 2019 Nov 22.

Authors

Ayumu Asai¹, Masamitsu Konno², Jun Koseki³, Masateru Taniguchi⁴, Andrea Vecchione⁵, Hideshi Ishii⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan; Department of Frontier Science for Cancer and Chemotherapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan; Artificial Intelligence Research Center, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan.
² Department of Frontier Science for Cancer and Chemotherapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan.
³ Department of Medical Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan.
⁴ Artificial Intelligence Research Center, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan.
⁵ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Santo Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, Rome, 1035-00189, Italy.
⁶ Department of Medical Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: hishii@gesurg.med.osaka-u.ac.jp.

PMID: 31759958
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.023

Abstract

Altered metabolism is critical for the rapid and unregulated proliferation of cancer cells; hence the requirement for an abundant source of nucleotides. One characteristic of this metabolic reprogramming is in one-carbon (1C) metabolism, which is particularly noteworthy for its role in DNA synthesis. Various forms of methylation are also noteworthy as they relate to cancer cell survival and proliferation. In recent years, 1C metabolism has received substantial attention for its role in cancer malignancy via these functions. Therefore, therapeutic inhibitors targeting 1C metabolism have been utilized as anticancer drugs. This review outlines the importance of 1C metabolism and its clinical application in cancer. Understanding 1C metabolism could aid the development of novel cancer diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Keywords: Anticancer drugs; DNA synthesis; Folate; Methionine; Methylation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
Biomarkers, Tumor / antagonists & inhibitors*
Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
Carbon / metabolism*
DNA / biosynthesis*
Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
Humans
Metabolic Networks and Pathways / drug effects
Methylation / drug effects
Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Neoplasms / drug therapy
Neoplasms / genetics
Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Biomarkers, Tumor
Carbon
DNA