Cancer Core Europe Lecture: Metabolites as signaling molecules and biomarkers in cancer

Welcome to the next Cancer Core Europe (CCE) Lecture, hosted by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg. Speaker: Christiane A. Opitz, Dr. med., MSc, Head of the Division of Metabolic Crosstalk in Cancer at the DKFZ Host: Stefan Fröhling, Prof. Dr., Managing Director of NCT Heidelberg, Head of the Division of Translational Medical Oncology at the DKFZ Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 ‒ Time: 12 - 1 pm CET Zoom link: dkfz-de.zoom-x.de/j/64996159988 Abstract Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer and leads to the accumulation of metabolites that function not only as intermediates of cellular metabolism but also as signaling molecules that regulate tumor progression. Increasing evidence demonstrates that metabolites can influence transcriptional programs, cellular signaling pathways, and immune responses, thereby linking metabolic states to cancer biology. Among these mechanisms, metabolites derived from tryptophan metabolism have emerged as critical mediators of tumor-immune interactions and tumor cell adaptation. Enzymatic degradation of tryptophan generates metabolites capable of activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in cellular differentiation, immune regulation, and tumor progression. Tryptophan metabolites act as endogenous AHR agonists and promote transcriptional programs that support tumor cell survival, immune suppression, and adaptation to metabolic stress. Metabolite-mediated signaling is also closely connected to growth-regulatory pathways such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which integrates nutrient availability and metabolic cues to control cell growth, proliferation, and anabolic metabolism. The interaction between metabolic pathways and signaling networks including AHR and mTOR plays a critical role in the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells and contributes to therapy resistance. Beyond their signaling roles, tumor-associated metabolites are increasingly explored as clinically relevant biomarkers. Metabolomic profiling enables the identification of metabolic signatures that reflect tumor activity, immune status, and therapy response. Interdisciplinary research initiatives such as the BMFTR-funded BALANCE-ET consortium illustrate this translational approach by investigating systemic metabolic changes and biomarker signatures associated with relapse risk and long-term outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Such metabolite-based biomarkers may improve risk stratification and long-term monitoring of quality of life in cancer survivors. Together, these findings highlight metabolites as key regulators of oncogenic signaling networks and as promising biomarkers in cancer. What is Cancer Core Europe (CCE)? Cancer Core Europe is a consortium of seven leading cancer centres (www.cancercoreeurope.eu). CCEs members are driven by a strong will to reshape the cancer research model to ultimately increase the European Union’s competitiveness as a place to conduct cutting-edge research that’s translated to the clinic to deliver more personalized medicine. Join us for this event and feel free to share it in your network!