Lessons from the study of induced alterations in amino acids in patients with cancer
Holland, J.F.; Ohnuma, T.
Cancer Treatment Reports 63(6): 1013-1018
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0361-5960 PMID: 313838 Document Number: 141184
The sensitivity of the neoplastic cell to amino acid deprivation shows considerable variation. The responsiveness of human leukemic cell cultures to L-asparaginase indicates that those of T cell origin are much more sensitive to the action of this L-asparagine-depleting enzyme than those of B cell origin. A cautionary note is raised concerning amino acid analogs. Minor changes such as substituting selenium for sulfur to make seleno-L-methionine rather than L-methionine may lead to considerable differences in their respective metabolic polls in vivo. A systemic survey of amino acid requirements of human neoplasms is desirable before designing new analogs.