No abstract

Cancer metabolism has emerged as an important area of research in recent years. Elucidation of the metabolic differences between cancer and normal cells and the underlying mechanisms will not only advance our understanding of fundamental cancer cell biology but also provide an important basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies and novel compounds to selectively eliminate cancer cells by targeting their unique metabolism. This article reviews several important metabolic alterations in cancer cells, with an emphasis on increased aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) and glutamine addiction, and discusses the mechanisms that may contribute to such metabolic changes. In addition, metabolic alterations in cancer stem cells, mitochondrial metabolism and its influence on drug sensitivity, and potential therapeutic strategies and agents that target cancer metabolism are also discussed.

Background:The mechanistic action of antitumor agent OSW-1 is not clearly understood. Results: OSW-1 triggers a calcium-dependent cell death through inhibition of sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1) and mitochondrial calcium overload. Conclusion: Potency and efficacy of OSW-1 in eliminating leukemia cells are dependent on homeostatic calcium disruption. Significance: New insights on the role of calcium in the mechanism of OSW-1 reveal potential in therapeutics.