Metabolism and Cancer
CHAIRPERSONS:
Ronald M. Evans, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Reuben J. Shaw, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
M. Celeste Simon, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
One of the first identified biochemical hallmarks of tumor cells was a shift in glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis (the "Warburg effect"). We now know that much of this metabolic conversion is controlled by specific transcriptional programs activated in response to mutations in tumor suppressor and oncogenes. In addition, further study of mitogenic signaling pathways in the past 5 years have revealed a number of essential and conserved cellular functions that couple the cell growth machinery to glucose and lipid metabolism, coupling proliferation of cells and organisms to the nutrient status in their environment. At this AACR Special Conference, we will focus on these connections and new therapeutic approaches that derive from our understanding of key intervention points in these metabolic and growth control pathways. Session topics will include the role of mTOR, AMPK, and Akt in signaling control of growth and metabolism, the transcriptional control of metabolism, the importance of mitochondria in metabolism, cancer, and apoptosis, as well as glucose uptake and glycolysis. We look forward to your participation in this conference and seeing you in California this September.