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Review
. 2020 Dec;10(12):1797-1807.
doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-0844. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Targeting Metabolic Plasticity and Flexibility Dynamics for Cancer Therapy

Sarah-Maria Fendt  1   2 , Christian Frezza  3 , Ayelet Erez  4
Affiliations
Review

Targeting Metabolic Plasticity and Flexibility Dynamics for Cancer Therapy

Sarah-Maria Fendt et al. Cancer Discov. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Cancer cells continuously rewire their metabolism to fulfill their need for rapid growth and survival while subject to changes in environmental cues. Thus, a vital component of a cancer cell lies in its metabolic adaptability. The constant demand for metabolic alterations requires flexibility, that is, the ability to utilize different metabolic substrates; as well as plasticity, that is, the ability to process metabolic substrates in different ways. In this review, we discuss how dynamic changes in cancer metabolism affect tumor progression and the consequential implications for cancer therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Recognizing cancer dynamic metabolic adaptability as an entity can lead to targeted therapy that is expected to decrease drug resistance.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Metabolic flexibility and plasticity determine tumour metabolic adaptability.
Multiple features affect tumour metabolic dynamics as exemplified by its flexibility and plasticity that enable its progression via metabolic adaptability to changing environmental cues.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Two potential scenarios that promote tumour evolution.
Primary tumour heterogeneity can evolve through changes induced by different metabolic deprivations (adaptation), or exist and proliferate following selection for fitness (pre-adaptation).
Figure 3:
Figure 3:. Schematic demonstration of the metabolic changes that accompany tumour progression.
Targeting tumour potential for metabolic adaptability can be a therapeutic strategy against tumour resistance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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