The Bioenergetic Role of Mitochondria in Lung Cancer

Abstract

Abstract In 1920s, Oto Warburg made the observation that cancer cells utilize signiicantly more glucose than normal, healthy cells, which led him to believe that cancer cells relied on glycolysis more than healthy cells. However, many subsequent studies have shown that glucose is not only necessary for glycolysis but also for oxidative phosphorylation and production of building blocks for the synthesis of other molecules. There are many chal- lenges associated with studying and treating lung cancer, and there is a diverse set of metabolic factors inluencing the tumorigenesis and metastasis of lung cancer. Lung can- cer cells rely heavily on mitochondrial respiration, and several studies have shown that inhibiting mitochondrial function is an efective method to combat lung cancer. Several agents have been used to inhibit mitochondrial function, including cyclopamine and metformin. Further, more research has noted increased levels of heme lux and function as critical to intensiied oxygen consumption and accompanying ampliied pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer. The upregulation of mitochondrial DNA and biogenesis genes are also correlated with lung cancer. In this chapter, we will cover these recent and emerging topics in lung cancer bioenergetics research.