The Heterogeneity of Cancer Metabolism


Book Description

Genetic alterations in cancer, in addition to being the fundamental drivers of tumorigenesis, can give rise to a variety of metabolic adaptations that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate in diverse tumor microenvironments. This metabolic flexibility is different from normal cellular metabolic processes and leads to heterogeneity in cancer metabolism within the same cancer type or even within the same tumor. In this book, we delve into the complexity and diversity of cancer metabolism, and highlight how understanding the heterogeneity of cancer metabolism is fundamental to the development of effective metabolism-based therapeutic strategies. Deciphering how cancer cells utilize various nutrient resources will enable clinicians and researchers to pair specific chemotherapeutic agents with patients who are most likely to respond with positive outcomes, allowing for more cost-effective and personalized cancer therapeutic strategies.




Metabolism in Cancer


Book Description

This textbook presents concise chapters written by internationally respected experts on various important aspects of cancer-associated metabolism, offering a comprehensive overview of the central features of this exciting research field. The discovery that tumor cells display characteristic alterations of metabolic pathways has significantly changed our understanding of cancer: while the first description of tumor-specific changes in cellular energetics was published more than 90 years ago, the causal significance of this observation for the pathogenesis of cancer was only discovered in the post-genome era. The first 10 years of the twenty-first century were characterized by rapid advances in our grasp of the functional role of cancer-specific metabolism as well as the underlying molecular pathways. Various unanticipated interrelations between metabolic alterations and cancer-driving pathways were identified and currently await translation into diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Yet the speed, quantity, and complexity of these new discoveries make it difficult for researchers to keep up to date with the latest developments, an issue this book helps to remedy.




Molecular Targeted Radiosensitizers


Book Description

Molecular Targeted Radiosensitizers: Opportunities and Challenges provides the reader with a comprehensive review of key pre-clinical research components required to identify effective radiosensitizing drugs. The book features discussions on the mechanisms and markers of clinical radioresistance, pre-clinical screening of targeted radiosensitizers, 3D radiation biology for studying radiosensitizers, in vivo determinations of local tumor control, genetically engineered mouse models for studying radiosensitizers, targeting the DNA damage response for radiosensitization, targeting tumor metabolism to overcome radioresistance, radiosensitizers in the era of immuno-oncology, and more. Additionally, the book features discussions on high-throughput drug screening, predictive biomarkers, pre-clinical tumor models, and the influence of the tumor microenvironment and the immune system, with a specific focus on the challenges radiation oncologists and medical oncologists currently face in testing radiosensitizers in human cancers. Edited by two acclaimed experts in radiation biology and radiosensitizers, with thirteen chapters contributed by experts, this new volume presents an in-depth look at current developments within a rapidly moving field, with a look at where the field will be heading and providing comprehensive insight into the framework of targeted radiosensitzer development. Essential reading for investigators in cancer research and radiation biology.




The Tumour Microenvironment


Book Description

Several fundamentally important questions form the basis for this book. What are the relationships between tumour formation and tumour pH? What are the effects of tumour pH and hypoxia on carcinogenesis or tumorigenesis? What are the therapeutic consequences of tumour pH? It is hypothesised that low extracellular pH is not only an important consequence of tumour growth but may also promote further tumorigenic transformation. Furthermore, in vitro studies suggest that low pH strongly affects the efficacy of chemo- and radiotherapy. Better understanding of the influence of pH on tumour growth, coupled with manipulation of the pH of the tumour microenvironment, may lead to the development of more effective therapies.




Cancer as a Metabolic Disease


Book Description

The book addresses controversies related to the origins of cancer and provides solutions to cancer management and prevention. It expands upon Otto Warburg's well-known theory that all cancer is a disease of energy metabolism. However, Warburg did not link his theory to the "hallmarks of cancer" and thus his theory was discredited. This book aims to provide evidence, through case studies, that cancer is primarily a metabolic disease requring metabolic solutions for its management and prevention. Support for this position is derived from critical assessment of current cancer theories. Brain cancer case studies are presented as a proof of principle for metabolic solutions to disease management, but similarities are drawn to other types of cancer, including breast and colon, due to the same cellular mutations that they demonstrate.




New Strategies Targeting Cancer Metabolism


Book Description

New Strategies Targeting Cancer Metabolism: Anticancer Drugs, Synthetic Analogues and Antitumor Agents presents up-to-date synthetic strategies for three categories of antimetabolites: antifolates, purines and pyrimidines, the main classes of antimetabolites which are integrated into various pharmaceutical agents. Many of these antimetabolites are considered potent chemotherapeutic agents which have great potential impact on medical research. These main classes of antimetabolites are used in the treatment of critical diseases including cancer, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and many other non-malignant diseases. Antineoplastic drugs such as alkylating agents which have significant effects are described. Novel synthetic strategies for many anticancer alkylating agents including nitrogen mustards, chlorambucil, melphalan, ifosamide, oxaliplatin and temozolomide are explored. Natural products have offered some of the most significant drugs for treating cancer, as many drugs currently in clinical use are derived from natural products as camptothecins, vinca alkaloids, and derivatives of podophyllotoxin. They provide a contribution that is essential for modern drug discovery and development. In this book, insights into a broad array of novel compounds are reviewed, well-recognized synthetic approaches are emphasized for further anticancer drug development and discovery, and the biological evaluation of novel synthesized compounds are included. This comprehensive reference is a valuable resource for medical chemists working in drug discovery and development, as well as pharmacologists and biochemists working in related fields. - Provides the only resource dedicated to synthetic strategies of antimetabolites - Features synthetic strategies for nucleosides and their analogues - Includes coverage of purine-, pyrimidine- and antifolate-based anticancer drugs - The most significant anticancer alkylating agents and natural products are demonstrated




Metabolic Plasticity of Cancer


Book Description

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.




Innovative Medicine


Book Description

This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.




Starving Cancer Cells: Evidence-Based Strategies to Slow Cancer Progression


Book Description

Starving Cancer Cells: Evidence-Based Strategies to Slow Cancer Progression - A Selection of Readings for Health Services Providers presents an edited and annotated collection of recent medical journal publications and abstracts illustrating new approaches to treatment derived from the metabolic theory of cancer. It intends to shed an early light on a relatively new approach to our understanding of the cancer cell idiosyncratic metabolic dysfunction, and on evidence-based new treatment strategies derived from that understanding. The book discusses topics such as tumor starvation by L-arginine deprivation; L-canavanine depriving tumors of L-arginine in pancreatic, multiple myeloma and breast cancer; glucose deprivation and intermittent fasting; glutamine uptake in cancer; the relation of oxygen-starved cancer cells with aspartate; and reducing tolerance of tumor cells to nutrition starvation. The content is presented in a contextualized and practical way in order to facilitate the transition from bench to bedside. This is a valuable resource for practitioners, oncologists and other members of healthcare chain who are interested in learning more about the most recent tumor cell starvation strategies and how they can improve overall treatment outcome. Provides extensive comments on scientific publications detailing recent findings about tumor cell auxotrophy applied to tumor cell starvation strategies Helps the reader to find relevant and practical information on cancer cell starvation, otherwise spread through niched specialized journals, in one single place Comments on the recent findings putting them in context of clinical practice in order to provide the reader with means of translating high level research to the clinics




Cancer Cell Metabolism


Book Description

This book illustrates various aspects of cancer cell metabolism, including metabolic regulation in solid tumours vs. non-solid tumours, the molecular pathways involved in its metabolism, and the role of the tumour microenvironment in the regulation of cancer cell metabolism. It summarizes the complexity of cancer cell metabolism in terms of the switch from anaerobic to aerobic glycolysis and how mitochondrial damage promotes aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. The respective chapters provide the latest information on the metabolic remodelling of cancer cells and elucidate the important role of the signalling pathways in reprogramming of cancer cell metabolism. In addition, the book highlights the role of autophagy in cancer cell metabolism, and how metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes cancer cell progression. In closing, it summarizes recent advancements in drug development through targeting cancer metabolism.