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Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
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Small-Molecule Inhibition of Glucose Transporters GLUT-1-4
Elena S Reckzeh1,2, Herbert Waldmann1,2
1Department Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.
Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology
|September 26, 2019
Summary
Cancer cells exhibit glucose addiction, driving hyperproliferation. This review explores potent facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitors as potential therapeutics to restrict cancer cell glucose supply and glycolysis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hyperproliferative diseases, including cancer, exhibit increased glucose metabolism, often termed 'glucose addiction'.
- Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) are frequently upregulated in these glucose-dependent cells, mediating enhanced glucose uptake.
- Targeting glucose metabolism presents a promising therapeutic strategy for diseases characterized by high cell proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review potent and isoform-selective inhibitors of facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs).
- To discuss the biological characterization of these GLUT inhibitors.
- To explore the potential therapeutic applications of GLUT inhibitors in oncology and other related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles focusing on GLUT inhibitors.
- Analysis of biological characterization data for selected GLUT inhibitors.
- Discussion of preclinical and clinical data related to GLUT inhibitor efficacy.
Main Results:
- Several potent and isoform-selective GLUT inhibitors have been identified and characterized.
- These inhibitors demonstrate the potential to modulate glucose uptake and glycolysis in cancer cells.
- Specific GLUT isoforms show promise as therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- GLUT inhibitors represent a promising class of drugs for targeting cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.
- Further research and development are warranted to translate these findings into effective clinical treatments.
- Targeting glucose addiction through GLUT inhibition offers a novel therapeutic avenue.
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