Age-induced accumulation of methylmalonic acid promotes tumour progression.

ABSTRACT: The risk of cancer and associated mortality increases substantially in humans from the age of 65 years onwards^1-6. Nonetheless, our understanding of the complex relationship between age and cancer is still in its infancy^2,3,7,8. For decades, this link has largely been attributed to increased exposure time to mutagens in older individuals. However, this view does not account for the established role of diet, exercise and small molecules that target the pace of metabolic ageing^9-12. Here we show that metabolic alterations that occur with age can produce a systemic environment that favours the progression and aggressiveness of tumours. Specifically, we show that methylmalonic acid (MMA), a by-product of propionate metabolism, is upregulated in the serum of old

SUBMITTER: Gomes AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7785256 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature