Ovarian cancer is a non-homogenous malignancy. High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common subtype, and its drug resistance mechanisms remain unclear. Despite the advantages of modern pharmacotherapy, high-grade ovarian cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and research into targeted therapies is in progress. The aim of the study was to assess the dominant energy substrate transport mechanism in ovarian cancer cells and to verify whether genomic aberrations could predict clinical outcomes using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Total RNA was extracted from HGSC frozen tissues, and the expression of selected genes was compared to respective controls. GLUT1, FABPpm, MCT4 and SNAT1 genes were significantly overexpressed in carcinomas compared with controls, while expression of CD36/SR-B2, FATP1, FABP4, GLUT4, ASCT2 and LPL was decreased. No differences were found in FATP4, LAT1, MCT1 and FASN. The transcript content of mitochondrial genes such as PGC-1α, TFAM and COX4/1 was similar between groups, while the β-HAD level declined in ovarian cancer. Additionally, the MCT4 level was reduced and PGC-1α was elevated in cancer tissue from patients with ‘small’ primary tumor and omental invasion accompanied by ascites as compared to patients that exhibited greater tendencies to metastasize to lymph nodes with clear omentum. Based on TCGA, higher FABP4 and LPL and lower TFAM expression indicated poorer overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer. In conclusion, the presented data show that there is no exclusive energy substrate in HGSC. However, this study indicates the advantage of glucose and lactate transport over fatty acids, thereby suggesting potential therapeutic intervention targets to impede ovarian cancer growth.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most frequent female malignancies. Because of a characteristic symptom, vaginal bleeding, EC is often diagnosed in an early stage. Despite that, some EC cases present an atypical course with rapid progression and poor prognosis. There have been multiple studies conducted on molecular profiling of EC in order to improve diagnostics and introduce personalized treatment. Chemokines—a protein family that contributes to inflammatory processes that may promote carcinogenesis—constitute an area of interest. Some chemokines and their receptors present alterations in expression in tumor microenvironment. CXCL12, which binds the receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7, is known for its impact on neoplastic cell proliferation, neovascularization and promotion of epidermal–mesenchymal transition. The CCL2–CCR2 axis additionally plays a pivotal role in EC with mutations in the LKB1 gene and activates tumor-associated macrophages. CCL20 and CCR6 are influenced by the RANK/RANKL pathway and alter the function of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Another axis, CXCL10–CXCR3, affects the function of NK-cells and, interestingly, presents different roles in various types of tumors. This review article consists of analysis of studies that included the roles of the aforementioned chemokines in EC pathogenesis. Alterations in chemokine expression are described, and possible applications of drugs targeting chemokines are reviewed.

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women. It is characterized by a high mortality rate because of its aggressiveness and advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. It is a nonhomogenous group of neoplasms and, of which the molecular basics are still being investigated. Nowadays, the golden standard in the treatment is debulking cytoreductive surgery combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. We have presented the interactions and the resulting perspectives between fatty acid transporters, glucose transporters and ovarian cancer cells. Studies have shown the association between a lipid-rich environment and cancer progression, which suggests the use of correspondent transporter inhibitors as promising chemotherapeutic agents. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the role of fatty acid transport proteins and glucose transporters in development, growth, metastasizing and its potential use in targeted therapies of ovarian cancer.

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