Inactivating mutation of the tumor suppressor TP53 is a near-ubiquitous event [1]; moreover, amplification of MYC family members (MYC, MYCL, and MYCN) or genetic alterations resulting in the hyperactivation of mTOR pathway also frequently occur in SCLC cases [27, 63]; and all of these mutations can influence the metabolic phenotype (Fig. 1). The gene discussed is MYC; the disease is small cell lung carcinoma.