Robust metabolic adaptation underlying tumor progression

Tumor metabolism represents the end point of many signal cascades recruited by oncogenic activation. Energy metabolism of cancer cells attracted the attention of biochemists over eight decades ago. For example, high consume of glucose and high lactate production under aerobic conditions make up one of the most fundamental characteristics of cancer cells and has been exploited for diagnosis. At the same time, study of the metabolic status of tumor cells during tumor progression reveals characteristic adaptations during carcinogenesis. Although these metabolic adaptations are not the main defects that cause cancer, they may confer advantages to survive. In this review, we discuss the main metabolic hot spots and their relationship with main tumor progression events. An accurate metabolic map of the many tumor phenotypes could offer new options in the treatment of cancer.