Low levels of a single enzyme influence pathway to malignancy in colorectal cancer, scientists find

Medical Xpress / Science Translational Medicine ^ | April 1, 2025 | Delthia Ricks / Li Xiong et al

[ConservativeMind]

The transformation of healthy cells into invasive colorectal tumors is an extraordinarily complex process involving numerous molecular mechanisms, according to cancer biologists who have discovered that low levels of a single enzyme strongly influence the pathway to malignancy.

The team highlighted an enzyme named GPT1, which stands for glutamic-pyruvic transaminase 1. Colorectal cancer is characterized by decreased amounts of GPT1, a metabolic enzyme with apparent functions in cancer progression.

Li Xiong confirmed decreased GPT1 in CRC patients and demonstrated in a series of experiments that low expression of GPT1 was associated with worse CRC prognoses.

"We analyzed transcriptomic profile changes in tissues from patients with CRC," Xiong added, noting that as the disease progresses GPT1 is down-regulated, meaning the enzyme and its activity dramatically declined.

The study also revealed that a compound by the name of poliumoside, which activates GPT1, can suppress tumor growth.

To better understand the role of GPT1, the Guangdong team examined normal colorectal tissues, adenomas, and tumor tissues from patients with colorectal cancer. The samples showed a marked lack of GPT1, the deficiency of which also correlated with poorer clinical outcomes. Studying cells and animal models in the lab, the authors then showed that GPT1 normally suppressed the formation of tumors from adenomas by producing a metabolic molecule named α-ketoglutarate, which inhibited the WNT signaling pathway, disrupting the metabolically important folate cycle.

Regarding poliumoside, the team of cancer biologists found that it reactivated GPT1 and slowed the growth of tumors. Tumor growth was slowed in patient-derived organoids and mouse models of colorectal cancer, indicating the compound should be tested in clinical trials.

"In this study, we identified GPT1 as a regulator involved in metabolic initiation and progression of CRC," Xiong concluded. "Deficiency of GPT1 promoted CRC tumorigenesis by rewiring cellular metabolism in enzyme-dependent and enzyme-independent ways."

[ConservativeMind]

Key outtake:

“Studying cells and animal models in the lab, the authors then showed that GPT1 normally suppressed the formation of tumors from adenomas by producing a metabolic molecule named α-ketoglutarate, which inhibited the WNT signaling pathway, disrupting the metabolically important folate cycle.”

“Regarding poliumoside, the team of cancer biologists found that it reactivated GPT1 and slowed the growth of tumors.”

Alpha-ketoglutarate is available as a common supplement. If this molecule is what triggers GPT1, it might be an option. Poliumoside is also available, but hard to find. It is derived from a Chinese medicinal plant.

Poliumoside was found to slow colon tumor growth in animals by acting on GPT1, which produces alpha-ketoglutarate which disrupts a key pathway that works with folate.

[ConservativeMind]

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[dp0622]

I had a 3 cm polyp removed about 15 years ago.

I’ve had the FIT test a number of times since but not the colonoscopy I very much need to get.

3cm should be followed up by another colonoscopy in a few years, not decades.

I hate that test but I hate dying a slow torturous death more so I need to get on it.

Good article.

[jonrick46]

Below are displayed all the plants proven (via scientific papers) to contain Poliumoside:

Brandisia hancei
Buddleja officinalis
Callicarpa macrophylla
Cistanche deserticola
Cistanche phelypaea
Digitalis purpurea
Penstemon linarioides
Teucrium polium

I found an extract for Cistanche deserticola at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Cistanche-Extract-10-VegiCaps-Stearate/dp/B00N50K8FE

[ConservativeMind]

Amazon actually showed three options for purchase of pure Poliumoside, but for “scientific purposes.”

[DrHFrog]

The FIT test is not an appropriate test for those with known or high risk for polyps / malignancy. A 3 cm polyp, unless hyperplastic, which those that size are not likely, should be followed. by a second colonoscopy in 1 year but certainly no less than 3 years.

[nagant]

Xiong concluded. “Deficiency of GPT1 promoted CRC tumorigenesis by rewiring cellular metabolism in enzyme-dependent and enzyme-independent ways.”
~~~~~

.....Proving once again that, counter to modern medical practice, cancer is a metabolic disease, not a genetic disease. Fix cellular energy pathways and cells stop mutating.