Oncometabolites and their role in cancer

D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG), L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L2HG), succinate, and fumarate are structurally similar and share metabolic proximity in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Owing to these similarities they promote tumorigenesis in cancer cells through similar biological mechanisms. This chapter summarizes the role of these canonical oncometabolites in cancer along with methods of measuring and detecting altered metabolic signatures in cancer. Targeted and global profiling strategies are outlined along with imaging approaches for oncological exploration. In addition, current laboratory methodologies that can be used to quantify D2HG and L2HG are outlined along with new innovative approaches to identifying cancerous tissue in real-time.