Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), more commonly known as glioblastomas, are a form of specialized brain tumors called gliomas. Glioblastomas most commonly occur in glial cells of the central nervous system and the average age of diagnosis is 64. Treatment methods implemented currently are surgery of the removable masses followed by courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These methods can only prolong the life span by a few months and as such, new research focused on tumor cell metabolism is being conducted to determine its impact on the progression of this tumor. Tumor masses, such as Glioblastomas, modify their metabolism via the Warburg Effect. This effect states that ATP production via the inefficient processing of carbon-based compounds into lactate is employed by tumors. Some avenues used to target this weakness are keto diets and glycolysis inhibitors. Keto diets restrict the intake of carbohydrates and move cellular metabolism towards fat and protein catabolism. This has shown some promise in restricting growth and in reducing the speed of tumor progression. In addition, targeted drug therapies with Lonidamine and Azaserine are shown to be effective in disrupting hexokinase-2 and glutaminase activity, respectively. Overall, these new mechanisms may hold the key to prolonging the lifespan and to treating individuals suffering from glioblastomas.
Keywords
Glioblastoma, Tumor Cell Metabolism, Ketogenic Diet, Antineoplastic Agents, Antifungal Agents
Disciplines
Investigative Techniques | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neoplasms | Oncology | Therapeutics
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Investigative Techniques Commons, Neoplasms Commons, Oncology Commons, Therapeutics Commons
Cellular Metabolism Therapy Slowing Growth Rate of Glioblastomas
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), more commonly known as glioblastomas, are a form of specialized brain tumors called gliomas. Glioblastomas most commonly occur in glial cells of the central nervous system and the average age of diagnosis is 64. Treatment methods implemented currently are surgery of the removable masses followed by courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These methods can only prolong the life span by a few months and as such, new research focused on tumor cell metabolism is being conducted to determine its impact on the progression of this tumor. Tumor masses, such as Glioblastomas, modify their metabolism via the Warburg Effect. This effect states that ATP production via the inefficient processing of carbon-based compounds into lactate is employed by tumors. Some avenues used to target this weakness are keto diets and glycolysis inhibitors. Keto diets restrict the intake of carbohydrates and move cellular metabolism towards fat and protein catabolism. This has shown some promise in restricting growth and in reducing the speed of tumor progression. In addition, targeted drug therapies with Lonidamine and Azaserine are shown to be effective in disrupting hexokinase-2 and glutaminase activity, respectively. Overall, these new mechanisms may hold the key to prolonging the lifespan and to treating individuals suffering from glioblastomas.