Title:Metabolic Pathways Regulating Colorectal Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic
Approach
Volume: 28
Issue: 36
Author(s): Nima Zafari, Mahla Velayati, Sedigheh Damavandi, Ghazaleh Pourali, Majid Ghayour Mobarhan, Mohammadreza Nassiri, Seyed Mahdi Hassanian, Majid Khazaei*, Gordon A. Ferns and Amir Avan*
Affiliation:
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad
University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Colorectal cancer, metabolic pathways, signaling pathways, targeted therapies, metabolic reprogramming, glucose metabolism, warburg effect.
Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers globally. Despite recent progress in
identifying etiologies and molecular genetics as well as new therapeutic approaches, the clinical outcome of
current CRC therapies remains poor. This fact highlights the importance of further understanding underlying
mechanisms involved in colorectal tumor initiation and progression. Abnormal metabolic alterations offer an
evolutional advantage for CRC tumor cells and enhance their aggressive phenotype. Therefore, dysregulation of
cellular metabolism is intricately associated with colorectal tumorigenesis. This review summarizes recent findings
regarding the CRC-related changes in cellular metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid
cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial metabolism. We describe the oncogenic signaling pathways associated
with metabolic dysregulation during malignant transformation and tumor progression. Given the crucial
role of metabolic pathway alterations in the pathogenesis of CRC, we provide an overview of novel pharmacological
strategies for the treatment of CRC by targeting metabolic and signaling pathways.