Normal and cancer cell metabolism: Lymphocytes and lymphoma

Abstract

Recent studies of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes have revealed overlapping metabolic rewiring in activated T cells and Myc-transformed lymphocytes. Myc expression is attenuated in normal lymphocytes that return to the basal state, but Notch-activated or Myc-transformed lymphocytes persistently express Myc, which activates genes involved in glucose and glutamine metabolism. Although this difference could provide a therapeutic window for the treatment of cancers, the overlapping metabolic profiles suggest a potential for immunosuppression by metabolic inhibitors. Recent studies of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes reveal overlapping metabolic rewiring in activated T cells and Myc-transformed lymphocytes. Myc expression is eventually attenuated in normal lymphocytes but maintained in transformed lymphocytes,activating genes involved in glucose and glutamine metabolism. While this difference could provide a therapeutic window to treat cancers, the overlapping metabolic profiles suggest potential immune-suppression by metabolic inhibitors © 2012 The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 FEBS.