Oncogenic Metabolism Acts as a Prerequisite Step for Induction of Cancer Metastasis and Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype

Abstract

Metastasis is a major obstacle to the efficient and successful treatment of cancer. Initiation of metastasis requires epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that is regulated by several transcription factors, including Snail and ZEB1/2. EMT is closely linked to the acquisition of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and chemoresistance, which contribute to tumor malignancy. Tumor suppressor p53 inhibits EMT and metastasis by negatively regulating several EMT-inducing transcription factors and regulatory molecules; thus, its inhibition is crucial in EMT, invasion, metastasis, and stemness. Metabolic alterations are another hallmark of cancer. Most cancer cells are more dependent on glycolysis than on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for their energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. Cancer cells enhance other oncogenic metabolic pathways, such as glutamine metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer is regulated by the activation of oncogenes or loss of tumor suppressors that contribute to tumor progression. Oncogenic metabolism has been recently linked closely with the induction of EMT or CSC phenotypes by the induction of several metabolic enzyme genes. In addition, several transcription factors and molecules involved in EMT or CSCs, including Snail, Dlx-2, HIF-1α, STAT3, TGF-β, Wnt, and Akt, regulate oncogenic metabolism. Moreover, p53 induces metabolic change by directly regulating several metabolic enzymes. The collective data indicate the importance of oncogenic metabolism in the regulation of EMT, cell invasion and metastasis, and adoption of the CSC phenotype, which all contribute to malignant transformation and tumor development. In this review, we highlight the oncogenic metabolism as a key regulator of EMT and CSC, which is related with tumor progression involving metastasis and chemoresistance. Targeting oncometabolism might be a promising strategy for the development of effective anticancer therapy.

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis of FSCN1‐interacting proteins in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells

“…High levels of glycolysis are closely related to the invasion and metastasis of tumors . Although FSCN1 also functions in cancer cell migration and invasion, we have no evidence that FSCN1 is related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis.…”

The Cancer Stem Cell in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Together, hypoxia and VEGF lead to the formation of atypical vessels with increased permeability. Furthermore, VEGF can induce EMT in CSCs, activating the circuitry needed for CSCs to lose their intercellular adhesions and enter nearby vessels [58][59][60][61][62][63]. Indeed, anti-VEGF treatments have been successfully used in AFP high HCC patients [64], but their specific efficacy against CSCs is unclear [65,66].…”

Innate and Adaptive Immunity Linked to Recognition of Antigens Shared by Neural Crest-Derived Tumors

“…The presence of SDHB mutation has been associated with the induction of expression of genes responsible for endothelial mesenchymal transition like LOXL2, TWIST, SNAI1, TCF3, MMP2, and MMP1. While genes typical of epithelial phenotype like KRT19 and CDH2 were downregulated [74,75] and ZEB1/δEF1, and Slug are induced during progression of metastatic Pheochromocytoma [76].…”