©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Biol Chem. Nov 26, 2015; 6(4): 281-289
Published online Nov 26, 2015. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v6.i4.281
Published online Nov 26, 2015. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v6.i4.281
Targeting amino acid metabolism in cancer growth and anti-tumor immune response
Elitsa Ananieva, Biochemistry and Nutrition, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States
Author contributions: Ananieva E entirely contributed to this article.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest.
Correspondence to: Elitsa Ananieva, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biochemistry and Nutrition, Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States. elitsa.ananieva-stoyanova@dmu.edu
Telephone: +1-515-2711529 Fax: +1-515-2714215
Received: May 27, 2015
Peer-review started: May 29, 2015
First decision: June 18, 2015
Revised: July 7, 2015
Accepted: September 29, 2015
Article in press: September 30, 2015
Published online: November 26, 2015
Processing time: 179 Days and 23.8 Hours
Peer-review started: May 29, 2015
First decision: June 18, 2015
Revised: July 7, 2015
Accepted: September 29, 2015
Article in press: September 30, 2015
Published online: November 26, 2015
Processing time: 179 Days and 23.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Amino acid metabolism has been a focus of increased attention by cancer researchers and immunologists due to its importance for the metabolic reprogramming of proliferating cells. Many amino acid enzymes are described as immunosuppressive in the tumor microenvironment and targeted for cancer therapy. This review addresses the metabolic control of tumor progression in the context of anti-tumor immunity and discusses current and future therapeutic approaches. Special emphasis is given to the emerging role of branched chain amino acid metabolism in cancer and immunity highlighting some recent work by our research group.