A computer model of cancer metabolism has been successfully developed that can determine which genes are essential for a given type of cancer to develop, reported Israeli scientists in the journal Molecular Systems Biology. Thanks to their work, it will be possible to treat various types of cancer more effectively and precisely.
Cancer cells are dangerous because they have the ability to divide rapidly, uncontrollably. However, to gain and maintain this unique opportunity, they must alter their metabolism, especially the way they take in, break down, and use the nutrients necessary for tumor development and growth.
Understanding the changes that occur in cancer cells enables scientists to develop anti-cancer drugs and therapies that selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells without harming normal, healthy cells.
Moreover, the changes that occur in the metabolism of cancer cells vary depending on the type of cancer, and even between patients suffering from the same type of cancer – hence the need to select the best possible therapy for a given type of cancer and a particular patient.
Based on the available data on various cancers, Tomer Shlomi, Eytan Ruppin and their colleagues at the Technion Institute in Haifa developed a computer simulation of cancer metabolism and thus tested which genes are essential for a particular tumor to develop and grow.
Using this method, they showed that when genes that are inactive in cells of a given type of cancer are known, a therapy can be planned that selectively affects only cancer cells and does not interfere with the metabolism of healthy tissues, thanks to which it has minimal side effects. (PAP)