Energy-starved breast cancer cells consume their surroundings for fuel, research suggests

• Breast cancer cells, when deprived of nutrients, consume their extracellular matrix for energy.
• This process involves macropinocytosis, a mechanism of engulfing extracellular fluid.
• The cells metabolically convert amino acids, specifically tyrosine and phenylalanine, to sustain themselves.
• This discovery reveals a unique survival strategy of cancer cells in nutrient-poor environments.
• Understanding this process could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating breast cancer.