European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CANCER PROTEIN METABOLISM: REVIEW ON ETIOLOGY, PROGRESSION AND MANAGEMENT

Adel Abdel-Moneim* and Abdel-Rahman Ragab

ABSTRACT

Altered metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Cell cycling and protein synthesis are both key physiological tasks for cancer cells. In recent years, interest has been renewed as clear that many of the signaling pathways that are affected by genetic mutations and the tumor microenvironment have a profound effect on core metabolism of cancer cells. Metabolic alterations in cancer cells are numerous and include aerobic glycolysis, reduced oxidative phosphorylation and the increased generation of biosynthetic intermediates needed for cell growth and proliferation. Furthermore, accelerated protein turnover seen in many cancer patients and whole body protein turnover is increased with advancing stage of disease. Cancer cells alter their consumption and the way they process sugars, fats, amino acids and other energy sources to satisfy the demands of continuous proliferation. The possible effects of specific amino acid, methionine, asparagine, arginine, tyrosine and glutamine, etc. on protein cancer metabolism are discussed. Evidences confirm a contribution of proteins in all cancer stages and describe metabolism of protein in cancer and how amino acids can be targeted to management or initially prevent different types of cancer. Several studies suggest that people who eat more red meat have higher risk for developing colorectal cancer than those who eat less red meat, but avoiding processed meats is even more important for cancer prevention. In this review we summarize the role of proteins in cancer etiology, metabolism, its complication, prevention and treatments.

Keywords: protein, cancer, metabolism, etiology, complications, prevention and treatment.