Role of Osmolytes in Cancer

In order to protect from the harsh stresses, cells develop a unique strategy that involves the accumulation of various small organic molecules (e.g. proline, taurine, sarcosine, betaine, sorbitol, glycine, arginine). These molecules are known to protect cells from stressful insults not only by stabilizing macromolecular integrity but also by their involvement in key biological processes e.g. anti-oxidant system, protein quality control system, inflammatory responses, and infections. Similarly, the development of cancer and its proliferation also involves upregulation and downregulation of many such metabolites as cancer cells also encounter a large number of stresses. Furthermore, there is metabolic reprogramming in the cancer cells relative to the normal cells resulting in the buildup of certain osmolytes in specific cancer types. Metabolic profiling revealed that there are many variations in the nature of the metabolites present in the normal and cancer individuals. Studies also identified the involvement of specific molecules in key biological processes including, cancer development, cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. In the present chapter, we try to address insights that certain osmolytes play important role in many cancer cells and discuss their involvement in various aspects of cancer progression including proliferation and metastasis. We also discuss about the possibility of using specific osmolyte(s) as diagnostic biomarkers or employing as a drug for different cancer types.