Review Article, J Clin Exp Oncol Vol: 2 Issue: 3
Metabolic Basis of Treatment Failures; Autophagy and Malignant Cancer Progression
Maxwell Omabe1*, Martin Ezeani2 and Ugoeze Donatus1 | |
1School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Science, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria | |
2Department of Neurosciences, University of Sussex, United Kingdom | |
Corresponding author : Maxwell Omabe Molecular Pathology/Cancer Biology Research Group, Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria E mail: Maswello2002@yahoo.com |
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Received: March 19, 2013 Accepted: May 23, 2013 Published: May 09, 2013 | |
Citation: Omabe M, Ezeani M, Donatus U (2013) Metabolic Basis of Treatment Failures; Autophagy and Malignant Cancer Progression. J Clin Exp Oncol 2:3. doi:10.4172/2324-9110.1000111 |
Abstract
Cells use a number of pathways to generate energy and synthesize cellular building blocks including lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides. Alterations in metabolic pathways have been implicated in many pathophysiological conditions. This mechanism is exploited by both resident epithelial cancer cells and the fibroblast. Indeed, cancer and normal cells differ dramatically in terms of their energy requirements and use of metabolic pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic impairment contribute immensely to chemotherapeutic resistance and metastatic cancer progression through signaling pathways that revolve around autophagy. The current study reviewed relevant studies that underpin autophagy and highlight the metabolic alterations in the tumour microenvironment that may mediate chemoresistance and malignant cancer progression in both experimental and clinical models.