"Neutrons Unveil Cancer's Metabolic Hijacking"
Neutron experiments have provided key insights into the enzymatic mechanism of a metabolic pathway that cancer cells rely on for growth. By mapping the structure and electrical charges of an enzyme involved in the pathway, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory aim to design drugs that can block the supply of vital resources to cancer cells. This research focuses on aggressive tumor-forming cancers such as lung, colon, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. The study represents a renewed interest in targeting metabolic pathways for anti-cancer drug development and could lead to more effective treatments for aggressive forms of cancer.