Metabolic Rewiring in Cancer: Understanding the Complexity of Metabolic Networks

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and survival, which entails the reprogramming of metabolic pathways to generate energy and biosynthetic intermediates. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of this reprogramming is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies. Glucose metabolism in cancer cells is known as the Warburg effect, where cells preferentially utilize glucose through glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. Additionally, increased protein synthesis and degradation, as well as altered amino acid metabolism, enable cancer cells to maintain high rates of proliferation. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the altered metabolic pathways in cancer cells and their role in tumorigenesis. This chapter also discusses the regulatory mechanisms that are dysregulated in cancer, including glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and lipid metabolism. Overall, this chapter underscores the importance of understanding the intricate metabolic networks in cancer, and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.