乳腺癌 z-bo 2020-09-24 372

　　How do cancer cells burn calories? A new study from Thomas Jefferson University shows that some breast cancer cells rely on a process different from other breast cancer cells to turn nutrients into energy. Related research results were published in the international academic journal JBC. Research on the metabolic function of cancer is a recent research hotspot. An in-depth understanding of how cancer cells prosper and grow can help find new ways to cut off the energy supply to kill cancer cells.

　　Researchers studied a protein they knew could change the metabolism of breast cancer cells. This protein called TIGAR can weaken the cell’s ability to obtain energy through glycolysis. But it is unclear how this metabolic change changes cancer cells.

　　Through a series of cell and animal studies, researchers have found that breast cancer cells with higher than normal levels of TIGAR protein are more aggressive and grow faster than breast cancer cells with normal levels of TIGAR protein. But if these cells do not promote growth through glycolysis, which pathway do they use?

　　Researchers found that when cells express TIGAR, they change their metabolic pathways and rely on mitochondria for energy. Interestingly, the high levels of TIGAR protein produced by cancer cells can also change the metabolism of surrounding cells, which can promote breast cancer development. However, unlike cancer cells, TIGAR does not increase the dependence of surrounding cells on mitochondrial energy synthesis. , But let them rely on glycolysis to further promote tumor growth. Previous studies have found that support cells that rely on glycolysis in tumors can make breast cancer more aggressive.

　　"About 70-80% of breast cancers show high expression of TIGAR. There are many drugs that block mitochondrial metabolism. These drugs can be used to'starve' breast cancer cells." The author of the article, Dr. Martinez-Outschoorn Said.

　　The anti-diabetic drug metformin and the antibiotic doxycycline are two drugs that can block mitochondrial metabolism. Researchers used these two drugs to treat breast cancer cells with high expression of TIGAR. As a result, they observed a decrease in the invasion ability of cancer cells.

　　These two drugs have been approved for their respective uses, proving that they have passed safety tests. If these two drugs can help inhibit tumor growth in patients according to the preliminary research results, then in the future, these two drugs can be combined with other therapeutic drugs to develop new breast cancer treatments.