http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle
Posted on 03/16/2008 5:54:39 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick
LONDON: Scientists have discovered a key part of the mechanism that makes cancer cells so dangerous, a breakthrough which they claim could enable them to stop tumour growth in its tracks.
The scientists, led by researchers from the Harvard Medical School, have identified an enzyme which enables cancer cells to consume the huge quantities of glucose they need to fuel uncontrolled growth.
Though the key enzyme, known as pyruvate kinase, comes in two forms, the researchers found that only one -- the PKM2 form -- enables cancer cells to consume glucose at an accelerated rate.
"Because PKM2 is found in all of the cancer cells that we have examined, because it is not found in most normal adult tissues, and because it is critical for tumour formation, this form of pyruvate kinase is a possible target for cancer therapy," according to lead researcher Prof Lewis Cantley.
In their experiment on rodents, when they forced cancer cells to switch to other form of pyruvate kinase in the laboratory by knocking out production of PKM2, their growth was curbed.
Subsequently, when the cells were injected into the laboratory mice, they were much less able to produce tumours, the researchers reported in the Nature journal.
question for cancer survivors. I survived or maybe I should say am in recovery from melanoma. My dear sister in law and one of my best friends are both big supporters of Walk for the Cure. Oddly enough, they are both pretty conservative but abortion is not their primary issue as it is mine. So this sister in law has invited me to go to the luncheon that’s coming up for the Komer (sp?) foundation. I’m sure that I’ll be shaken down for a donation. I’m hoping I can put it in an envelope and give it to someone besides my sister in law. If so, I’ll write it for $.99 which will cost much more to process than it’s worth. Any other suggestions?
boobkmark
:^)
ping
Nearly 80 years ago, scientist Otto Warburg observed that cancer cells perform energy metabolism in a way that is different from normal adult cells. Many decades later, this observation was exploited by clinicians to better visualize tumors using PET (positron emission technology) imaging. But it has not been known exactly how tumor cells perform this alternate metabolic feat, nor was it known if this process was essential for tumor growth.
Pyruvate kinase has been extensively studied since the mid 1960s, as the enzyme's deficiency in human erythrocytes is the most common cause of hemolytic anemia. Lately, the enzyme was linked to other diseases related to both glucose and oxygen utilization, such as diabetes, blood and brain phenylketonuria, and angiogenesis.
http://bidmc.harvard.edu/tools/newsnow/pr_out.asp?pr_id=1793
It has been noted in 2007 to be up-regulated in a majority of colorectal Ca, and can be measured in plasma of patients with advanced breast cancer. In mice models, it is widely expressed in cancer cell types.
The Susan G Komen Foundation is for breast cancer research. I believe they donate some of their money to Planned Parenthood. I used to do the Revlon Walk for the Cure. I now occasionally sponsor friends but don’t do the walk myself. Cancer research is really important but foundations like this shouldn’t be funding Planned Parenthood.
Very interesting. If I remember correctly, this was one of the key enzymes in the Krebs cycle which is the foundation of metabolism.
Yes. I know all that and I don’t walk either but like I said, one of my best friends does so I pay some money to sponser her (she does the 60 mile walk at least once a year). My sister in law is also a breast cancer survivor. She doesn’t do the long walk but the short one and is the one who has invited me. I think I’ll do the minimum gift and enjoy myself. If, however, they do start talking about abortion, I’ll politely excuse myself and leave.
JMO, but the Komen Foundation is a Brast Cancer Foundation. Everyone has their primary concerns, and even if abortion isn’t theirs, curing cancer seems to be, at least what I gleaned from your article.
So I imagine that since they support Walk for the Cure, and the Komen Foundation, cancer is their primary concern.
Is the money going to cancer research in part or in total to fund abortions, or is it all going to cancer research?
IF it is going to support abortion (even in part) then by all means give only 99 cents, or even nothing with a note explaining why you won’t support the slaughter of the innocents.
On the other hand, IMHO, giving $.99 is a slap in the face to other cancer survivors simply because you don’t agree with their politics concerning abortion.
Interesting finding.
But as a person who does fairly extensive readings in biology and aging, I somewhat object to the title “Enzyme behind cancer identified”
There is no single “enzyme behind cancer”. Cancer cells are very different from normal cells, and have a very different set of gene expressions. Different cancers have different properties.
In truth, we will probably never “cure” cancer. There are too many different types. There are too many different causes. And even if we are able to diagnose and cure a particular type, it is highly likely that new types can in fact develop because of changes to the genome over time.
JMO, but the Komen Foundation is a Breast Cancer Foundation. Everyone has their primary concerns, and even if abortion isn’t theirs, curing cancer seems to be, at least what I gleaned from your article.
So I imagine that since they support Walk for the Cure, and the Komen Foundation, cancer is their primary concern.
Is the money going in part or in total to fund abortions, or is it all going to cancer research?
IF even a penny is going to support abortion then by all means give only 99 cents, or even nothing with a note explaining why you won’t support the slaughter of the innocents.
On the other hand, IMHO, giving $.99 because you don’t agree with your sisters stance on abortion is a slap in the face to others who are fighting the disease.
That graphic just gave me a seizure
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
My dear sister in law and one of my best friends are both big supporters of Walk for the Cure. Oddly enough, they are both pretty conservative but abortion is not their primary issue as it is mine. So this sister in law has invited me to go to the luncheon that’s coming up for the Komer (sp?) foundation. I’m sure that I’ll be shaken down for a donation. I’m hoping I can put it in an envelope and give it to someone besides my sister in law. If so, I’ll write it for $.99 which will cost much more to process than it’s worth. Any other suggestions?
I remember having hissy fits trying to learn the Krebs Cycle in Medical School
It was a tough act in rote memorization
Your graphic of Confucius at the bottom can be condensed to two words:
"Character matters."
Cheers!
Okay, but before you go, please tell them about the link between abortions and increased incidence of breast cancer. Wagglebee, do you have some handy links or other convenient pack of info that she can use to get this info out to her family and friends?
IMHO, every dime The Komen Foundation takes in, is a dime diverted away from the fight against cancer.
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