2020/08/21 by Luca Frattaruolo, Matteo Brindisi, Rosita Curcio +3 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism #Mitochondrial Function and Pathology #ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.3390/ijms21176014
openalex publication_date 2020/08/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, which implements a profound metabolic rewiring in order to support a high proliferation rate and to ensure cell survival in its complex microenvironment. Although initial studies considered glycolysis as a crucial metabolic pathway in tumor metabolism reprogramming (i.e., the Warburg effect), recently, the critical role of mitochondria in oncogenesis, tumor progression, and neoplastic dissemination has emerged. In this report, we examined the main mitochondrial metabolic pathways that are altered in cancer, which play key roles in the different stages of tumor progression. Furthermore, we reviewed the function of important molecules inhibiting the main mitochondrial metabolic processes, which have been proven to be promising anticancer candidates in recent years. In particular, inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), heme flux, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), glutaminolysis, mitochondrial dynamics, and biogenesis are discussed. The examined mitochondrial metabolic network inhibitors have produced interesting results in both preclinical and clinical studies, advancing cancer research and emphasizing that mitochondrial targeting may represent an effective anticancer strategy.