Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory?
A theory that can best explain the facts of a phenomenon is more likely to advance knowledge than a theory that is less able to explain the facts. Cancer is generally considered a genetic disease based on the somatic mutation theory (SMT) where mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-08-01
|
Series: | Metabolites |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/11/9/572 |
id |
doaj-f4b6d0bea2d348fc9274ff9254c17995 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-f4b6d0bea2d348fc9274ff9254c179952021-09-26T00:40:41ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892021-08-011157257210.3390/metabo11090572Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory?Thomas N. Seyfried0Christos Chinopoulos1Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USADepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, HungaryA theory that can best explain the facts of a phenomenon is more likely to advance knowledge than a theory that is less able to explain the facts. Cancer is generally considered a genetic disease based on the somatic mutation theory (SMT) where mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes cause dysregulated cell growth. Evidence is reviewed showing that the mitochondrial metabolic theory (MMT) can better account for the hallmarks of cancer than can the SMT. Proliferating cancer cells cannot survive or grow without carbons and nitrogen for the synthesis of metabolites and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Glucose carbons are essential for metabolite synthesis through the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways while glutamine nitrogen and carbons are essential for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing metabolites and ATP through the glutaminolysis pathway. Glutamine-dependent mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation becomes essential for ATP synthesis in cancer cells that over-express the glycolytic pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), that have deficient OxPhos, and that can grow in either hypoxia (0.1% oxygen) or in cyanide. The simultaneous targeting of glucose and glutamine, while elevating levels of non-fermentable ketone bodies, offers a simple and parsimonious therapeutic strategy for managing most cancers.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/11/9/572mutationsIDH1glycolysisglutaminolysismitochondrial substrate level phosphorylationketogenic metabolic therapy |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Thomas N. Seyfried Christos Chinopoulos |
spellingShingle |
Thomas N. Seyfried Christos Chinopoulos Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? Metabolites mutations IDH1 glycolysis glutaminolysis mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation ketogenic metabolic therapy |
author_facet |
Thomas N. Seyfried Christos Chinopoulos |
author_sort |
Thomas N. Seyfried |
title |
Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? |
title_short |
Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? |
title_full |
Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? |
title_fullStr |
Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? |
title_full_unstemmed |
Can the Mitochondrial Metabolic Theory Explain Better the Origin and Management of Cancer than Can the Somatic Mutation Theory? |
title_sort |
can the mitochondrial metabolic theory explain better the origin and management of cancer than can the somatic mutation theory? |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Metabolites |
issn |
2218-1989 |
publishDate |
2021-08-01 |
description |
A theory that can best explain the facts of a phenomenon is more likely to advance knowledge than a theory that is less able to explain the facts. Cancer is generally considered a genetic disease based on the somatic mutation theory (SMT) where mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes cause dysregulated cell growth. Evidence is reviewed showing that the mitochondrial metabolic theory (MMT) can better account for the hallmarks of cancer than can the SMT. Proliferating cancer cells cannot survive or grow without carbons and nitrogen for the synthesis of metabolites and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). Glucose carbons are essential for metabolite synthesis through the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways while glutamine nitrogen and carbons are essential for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing metabolites and ATP through the glutaminolysis pathway. Glutamine-dependent mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation becomes essential for ATP synthesis in cancer cells that over-express the glycolytic pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), that have deficient OxPhos, and that can grow in either hypoxia (0.1% oxygen) or in cyanide. The simultaneous targeting of glucose and glutamine, while elevating levels of non-fermentable ketone bodies, offers a simple and parsimonious therapeutic strategy for managing most cancers. |
topic |
mutations IDH1 glycolysis glutaminolysis mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation ketogenic metabolic therapy |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/11/9/572 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT thomasnseyfried canthemitochondrialmetabolictheoryexplainbettertheoriginandmanagementofcancerthancanthesomaticmutationtheory AT christoschinopoulos canthemitochondrialmetabolictheoryexplainbettertheoriginandmanagementofcancerthancanthesomaticmutationtheory |
_version_ |
1716870133470724096 |