New theory of cancer puts metabolism at center

dlb823

Wow, this research out of MSK sounds really exciting!

Scientists have known for 100 years that cancer cells metabolize nutrients in a unique way, though they haven't understood why. In a new paper, MSK researchers reconsider the evidence and offer an unorthodox explanation, turning some commonsense wisdom on its head.

https://www.mskcc.org/blog/license-build-new-theor...

Lita57

Thought provoking article, dlb. I copied the last two paragraphs here to whet people's interest:

"If correct, Drs. Thompson and Pavlova's new theory suggests that targeting altered metabolism could be an effective approach to cancer treatment. Drugs not previously thought of in the context of cancer — such as the diabetes drug metformin — might become useful in the fight against the disease. We might even find that many existing cancer drugs, including certain targeted therapies, achieve their effects by affecting a cell's access to nutrients, in contrast to current theories of how they work.

"The study of cancer metabolism is more than a century old, but these recent discoveries are revitalizing interest in the subject. Asked if he thinks the time will come when altered metabolism will be seen as a full-fledged cancer hallmark, Dr. Thompson is bullish: 'I actually don't think it's a hallmark of cancer,' he says. 'I think it's the root cause.' "

L

dlb823

Thanks for posting those two paragraphs, Lita. I am just so hopeful that this is truly one of the big breakthroughs we need!

Suz-Q

interesting article. I've been reading a lot about metformin as a possible cancer reducing drug. I'd rather take it than Anastrozole