Modulation of the Warburg cell metabolism in chemoresistant cancer

In 1931, the Nobel Prize in Medicine Otto Warburg stated that cancer was primarily caused by altered metabolism interfering with energy processing in the normal cell. Increased cell glycolytic rates even in the presence of oxygen is fully recognized as a hallmark in cancer and known as the Warburg effect.

Recently, we have reported that Vitamin C induces RAS detachment from the cell membrane inhibiting ERK 1/2 and PKM2 phosphorylation. As a consequence of this activity, strong downregulation of the glucose transporter (GLUT-1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-PTB dependent protein expression are observed causing a major blockage of the Warburg effect and therefore energetic stress (Aguilera et al, 2016)

We aim to look for molecules capable to interfere with the aberrant Warburg cell metabolism in cancer.  We propose that combination of conventional chemotherapy with metabolic strategies, including molecules targeting pivotal key players involved in the Warburg effect may constitute a new horizon in anti-cancer therapies.

If you are interested, please contact with:

Dr. Oscar Aguilera (oscar.aguilera@FJD.es)