We all know that the food we eat gives our cells the energy they need to live and grow. This whole process is simply called "metabolism." But did you know that cancer cells get and use this energy in a very different and cunning way? In fact, this unique metabolism of cancer cells is a major target for scientists researching to stop cancer. Let's talk about it simply today.
What is the difference between normal cells and cancer cells?
Think of a healthy cell in our body as someone who does only the necessary work for the day and eats only the necessary food. These cells use the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the food we eat to produce the energy they need.
But cancer cells are not like that. Cancer cells are like a pack of thieves who are greedy and never satisfied. They consume much more glucose, a type of sugar, than healthy cells. They absorb this glucose and use it to generate energy not only to survive, but also to divide, multiply, and spread throughout the body at an incredible rate. One of the greatest challenges and goals of medicine today is to stop this process and destroy only cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
New Targeted Therapies for Cancer
When we think of cancer treatment, chemotherapy and radiation come to mind. These often work by destroying rapidly dividing cells. However, they can also damage some healthy cells in our body along with cancer cells.
But these so-called targeted therapies are a different, more modern approach.
Simply put, chemotherapy is like dropping a bomb on a battlefield, killing both the good and the bad. Targeted Therapy is like a sniper, aiming directly and hitting only where the problem is.
These treatments do not kill cancer cells directly. Instead, they interfere with the cancer cells' voracious metabolism. That is, they stop the cancer cells from getting the "food" they need. The starved cancer cells are then unable to divide or spread. Over time, the tumor shrinks and dies.
The biggest advantage of this method is that it mainly affects only cancer cells, with minimal damage to healthy cells. These treatments are already used for bladder, breast, lung, kidney, stomach cancer, skin cancer (melanoma), and some types of leukemia and lymphoma.
What research is being done for the future?
Scientists are continuing to research new ways to disrupt cancer metabolism. But many of these are still in the lab and animal studies stage. They are not yet ready for human use. But they hold great promise for the future.
See the table below for the main areas they are targeting.
| Target | How it can work |
|---|---|
| Glucose | Since glucose is the main food source for cancer cells, research is underway to see if it is possible to "starve" cancer cells by reducing glucose levels in the body through medication or diet. |
| Amino acids | These are the basic building blocks of proteins. They are also essential for cancer cells to grow. So, by controlling the body's access to amino acids that are specifically needed by cancer cells, we can stop the growth of cancer. |
| Messaging systems | Cancer cells have special proteins and enzymes inside them that tell them to "divide and spread quickly." By developing drugs that block these signaling systems, cancer cells can be signaled to self-destruct. |
Can diet affect this?
This is a question that many people have. When it comes to cancer metabolism, there is also research being done on diet. In particular, they are looking into whether things like fasting and keto diets can affect cancer cells.
But here's something very important to remember. These are still in the research stage. There is no definitive scientific guideline yet on how to change your diet to target cancer metabolism, or whether it will work for all cancers.
Therefore, it can be very dangerous for a person with cancer to make drastic changes to their diet based on what they read online without talking to their doctor . Doing so can weaken the body and even reduce its ability to withstand treatment.
Experts recommend that cancer patients eat a varied diet that provides all the nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water. In particular, it is important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts in the diet, and to limit red meat, processed meats such as sausages, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods.
Take-Home Message
- Cancer metabolism is the special process by which cancer cells obtain energy to grow and spread.
- Cancer cells consume more glucose (sugar) than healthy cells.
- Targeted therapies are a modern treatment method that disrupts the metabolic process of cancer cells and stops their growth.
- Although there is research on the relationship between diet and cancer metabolism, there are still no firm guidelines on the matter.
- If a person undergoing cancer treatment makes any changes to their diet, it should always be done only under the advice of their treating physician .
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