Tag: Tumor microenvironment

Cancer cells are notorious for their unchecked growth and survival, but this rapid proliferation comes at a cost, requiring a vast supply of energy and raw materials. This is why the question 'Do cancer cells need nutrients?' is fundamental to understanding their biology and developing new therapies.

Recent studies, including one published in *Nature Medicine*, have shown that triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are often dependent on fat metabolism to meet their energy demands. This metabolic reprogramming, which allows cancer cells to consume fatty acids for fuel, is a critical mechanism supporting the aggressive growth and spread of these tumors.

Over the past two decades, research has revealed that cancer cells often display a marked dependence on the amino acid glutamine. This phenomenon, known as glutamine addiction, refers to the metabolic reprogramming that makes cancer cells heavily reliant on this nutrient for survival and proliferation, unlike normal cells.