Redox Debt Leads to Metabolic Bankruptcy in Tumors

Evan Quon1, Madeleine L Hart1, Lucas B Sullivan1

  • 1Human Biology & Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|April 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

A new lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitor reduces tumor growth in mice. This inhibitor works with other drugs by targeting cancer

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cancer Metabolism
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Aerobic glycolysis is a common metabolic change in cancer.
  • Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) drives the fermentative aspect of this process.
  • Targeting cancer metabolism is a key area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate a novel bioavailable lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitor.
  • To investigate the synergistic effects of this LDH inhibitor with mitochondrial respiration inhibitors.
  • To explore the mechanism of action targeting redox homeostasis in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a bioavailable LDH inhibitor.
  • In vivo studies in mice to assess tumor growth.
  • Combination therapy studies with mitochondrial respiration inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • The developed LDH inhibitor demonstrated a decrease in tumor growth in mice.
  • The LDH inhibitor exhibited synergistic effects when combined with mitochondrial respiration inhibitors.
  • The findings suggest a cooperative mechanism targeting cellular redox balance.

Conclusions:

  • Novel LDH inhibitors show promise in reducing tumor growth.
  • Combination therapies targeting LDH and mitochondrial respiration may offer enhanced anti-cancer effects.
  • Targeting redox homeostasis is a viable strategy in cancer treatment.

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