Arginine: The Nutrient That Cancer Cells Crave

A recent study has found that arginine, an amino acid, plays a crucial role in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Glasgow, focused on a type of cancer called mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Mesothelioma is notoriously difficult to treat, and the five-year survival rate for patients is only 10 percent.

The study found that mesothelioma cells rely on arginine to survive and grow. Specifically, the cancer cells need arginine to produce a molecule called nitric oxide, which is essential for tumor growth. When the researchers blocked the production of nitric oxide in the cancer cells, the cells stopped growing and eventually died.

The researchers also found that the cancer cells were highly sensitive to changes in arginine levels. When arginine was removed from the cells’ environment, the cells quickly began to die off. This suggests that targeting arginine metabolism could be a promising strategy for treating mesothelioma and other cancers.

One potential approach is to develop drugs that block the enzymes that cancer cells use to synthesize arginine. Another approach is to use a drug called ADI-PEG20, which breaks down arginine in the blood, starving cancer cells of the nutrient. ADI-PEG20 is already in clinical trials for mesothelioma and other types of cancer.

The study also raises questions about the role of arginine in other types of cancer. The researchers found that mesothelioma cells have a unique metabolism that is different from that of other types of cancer. However, previous research has suggested that many types of cancer, including prostate, breast, and liver cancer, also rely on arginine for growth and survival.

The study provides new insights into the biology of cancer and suggests new strategies for treating mesothelioma and other types of cancer. The researchers caution that more research is needed to fully understand the role of arginine in cancer and to develop effective therapies. However, they believe that targeting arginine metabolism could be a promising approach to treating this deadly disease.