title: Lessons from the study of induced alterations in amino acids in patients with cancer.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012645:Selenomethionine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D012645:Selenomethionine; D008715:Methionine; D001215:Asparaginase