Targeting OXPHOS and the electron transport chain in cancer; Molecular and therapeutic implications

John Greene; Ashvina Segaran; Simon Lord

doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.002

Targeting OXPHOS and the electron transport chain in cancer; Molecular and therapeutic implications

Semin Cancer Biol. 2022 Nov;86(Pt 2):851-859. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.002. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Authors

John Greene¹, Ashvina Segaran², Simon Lord³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
² Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 35122973
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.002

Abstract

Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) takes place in mitochondria and is the process whereby cells use carbon fuels and oxygen to generate ATP. Formerly OXPHOS was thought to be reduced in tumours and that glycolysis was the critical pathway for generation of ATP but it is now clear that OXPHOS, at least in many tumour types, plays a critical role in delivering the bioenergetic and macromolecular anabolic requirements of cancer cells. There is now great interest in targeting the OXPHOS and the electron transport chain for cancer therapy and in this review article we describe current therapeutic approaches and challenges.

Keywords: Cancer drugs; Cancer metabolism; Complex I; Electron transport chain; OXPHOS.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
Electron Transport
Glycolysis
Humans
Neoplasms* / genetics
Neoplasms* / metabolism
Neoplasms* / therapy
Oxidative Phosphorylation*

Substances

Adenosine Triphosphate