Overview

• A study published in *Nature* identifies taurine, a common energy drink additive, as a key fuel source for leukemia cells, aiding their rapid growth through glycolysis.
• Leukemia cells absorb taurine via the SLC6A6 transporter, which researchers blocked in mouse models, significantly suppressing tumor progression.
• Experts caution against high-dose taurine supplementation, including from energy drinks, as it may inadvertently enhance leukemia growth in certain cases.
• Researchers are advancing preclinical development of inhibitors targeting taurine uptake and exploring its role in other cancers, such as colorectal cancer.
• The findings emphasize the importance of metabolic reprogramming in cancer research and suggest a potential new avenue for treating aggressive myeloid cancers.