Northern Illinois University, Biological Sciences, DeKalb, IL 60115
In order to better understand the true physiological responses of in vivo cancer cells, researchers are beginning to delve deeper into the intricate relationship that tumors have with themselves and their surrounding tissues. Studying the nature of the tumor microenvironment will provide investigators with a more accurate understanding of how cancer develops and evolves in the body. Furthermore, analysis of how amino acid transporters, LAT1, in particular, will help to better elucidate the mechanisms by which tumors sustain their unchecked growth. In exploring the expression of LAT1 under simulated tumor microenvironment conditions, we will gain enhanced understanding of how to target and potentially disrupt the metabolism of human cancers. In our study we utilize fifteen human liver cancer lines and expose them to various growth media that simulate conditions characteristic of the tumor microenvironment-namely nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and acidity. The results of this investigation further demonstrate the need for data collected in experimental design that accounts for the complex relationship of the tumor microenvironment.
[Abstract (DOCX)]