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Introduction Reprogramming of the metabolic landscape is a hallmark of cancer cells.1 Transformed cells modulate metabolic pathways and nutrient uptake using various adaptation mechanisms to support tumor progression.2 In this regard, the polyamine metabolism is a central pathway hijacked by cancer cells.3,4 Polyamines are small aliphatic polycations biosynthesized from amino acids such as methionine and ornithine and are tightly regulated by de novo synthesis and diet.5 Polyamines play a crucial role in key cellular processes such as cell growth, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and gene regulation.6,7 Notably, polyamine levels are frequently dysregulated in multiple cancer types.3,4 Besides malignant transformation, elevated polyamines are essential for the developmental and compensatory growth of cancer cells in response to systemic stimuli like hormones.8 Elevated polyamine levels contribute to cancer progression by binding to nucleic acids, thereby controlling DNA replication, transcription, translation, and cell cycle progression.912 Dysregulation of polyamine metabolism is directly controlled by oncogenic signaling pathways, including RAS, PI3K, mTORC, and MYC genes.13 Specifically, MYC oncogenes upregulate the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme. Continue reading →

Things began to change in March. Lockdown significantly altered Russell's daily life Continue reading →

COLD weather is set to ravage the UK this week and forecasters have issued weather warnings across most of the country. Continue reading →