Tumor-produced aging-associated oncometabolite, methylmalonic acid, promotes cancer-associated fibroblast activation to drive metastatic progression — ZHongchi, 2022

In this preprint article, the authors investigate the role of a metabolite called methylmalonic acid (MMA) in cancer progression. They find that MMA, which is produced by tumors, promotes the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) - cells in the tumor microenvironment that can promote cancer growth and metastasis. The authors demonstrate that MMA can induce CAF activation and secretion of pro-tumorigenic factors, leading to enhanced cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and increased metastatic potential in vivo. Furthermore, the authors identify a potential mechanism by which MMA induces CAF activation, involving the upregulation of a protein called HIF1A. These findings suggest that MMA produced by tumors may contribute to cancer progression by promoting CAF activation and providing a potential target for therapeutic intervention. However, it is important to note that this is a preprint article and has not yet undergone peer review.

Zhongchi Li, Vivien Low, Valbona Luga et al. Tumor-produced aging-associated oncometabolite, methylmalonic acid, promotes cancer-associated fibroblast activation to drive metastatic progression, 13 May 2022, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1643401/v1]