Cancer cells frequently rewire their metabolic pathways to optimize the uptake and utilization of amino acids. This process is known as metabolic reprogramming. For instance, glutamine is an amino acid that is often consumed in large quantities by cancer cells. This phenomenon, known as glutamine addiction, supports rapid growth and energy production in tumors. Similarly, the uptake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is also enhanced to fuel cancer cell proliferation.
