The role of metabolic reprogramming in kidney cancer

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming is a cellular process in which cells modify their metabolic patterns to meet energy requirements, promote proliferation, and enhance resistance to external stressors. This process also introduces new functionalities to the cells. The 'Warburg effect' is a well-studied example of metabolic reprogramming observed during tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that kidney cells undergo various forms of metabolic reprogramming following injury. Moreover, metabolic reprogramming plays a crucial role in the progression, prognosis, and treatment of kidney cancer. This review offers a comprehensive examination of renal cancer, metabolic reprogramming, and its implications in kidney cancer. It also discusses recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of renal cancer.

Keywords: amino acid metabolism; glucose metabolism; metabolism reprogramming; renal cancer; treatment.

Figure 1

Regulation of glucose metabolism in cancer cells. Glucose metabolism in mitochondria mainly consists of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and tumour cells enhance the conversion of glucose to lactate pathway through the glycolytic metabolic pathway.

Figure 2

Tumour cells compete with immune cells within the tumour for glucose, glutamine, fatty acids and other amino acids.

Figure 3

Reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism and glutamine metabolism in RCC. In renal cell carcinoma, where lipid synthesis predominantly exceeds lipid degradation, the β-oxidation pathway of lipids is down-regulated whereas the synthesis of carnitine, fatty acids, phospholipids, and cholesterol are all expressed up-regulated. The urea cycle is down-regulated, reducing the catabolism of amino acids such as arginine and glutamine.