Metabolic heterogeneity and adaptability in brain tumors

CE Badr, DJ Silver, FA Siebzehnrubl… - Cellular and Molecular …, 2020 - Springer
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2020Springer
The metabolic complexity and flexibility commonly observed in brain tumors, especially
glioblastoma, is fundamental for their development and progression. The ability of tumor
cells to modify their genetic landscape and adapt metabolically, subverts therapeutic
efficacy, and inevitably instigates therapeutic resistance. To overcome these challenges and
develop effective therapeutic strategies targeting essential metabolic processes, it is
necessary to identify the mechanisms underlying heterogeneity and define metabolic …
Abstract
The metabolic complexity and flexibility commonly observed in brain tumors, especially glioblastoma, is fundamental for their development and progression. The ability of tumor cells to modify their genetic landscape and adapt metabolically, subverts therapeutic efficacy, and inevitably instigates therapeutic resistance. To overcome these challenges and develop effective therapeutic strategies targeting essential metabolic processes, it is necessary to identify the mechanisms underlying heterogeneity and define metabolic preferences and liabilities of malignant cells. In this review, we will discuss metabolic diversity in brain cancer and highlight the role of cancer stem cells in regulating metabolic heterogeneity. We will also highlight potential therapeutic modalities targeting metabolic vulnerabilities and examine how intercellular metabolic signaling can shape the tumor microenvironment.
Springer