Question

which of the following could be an effective method to suppress tumor growth in a patient? (Select all that apply)

C. Developing cancer reagents that promote insulin signaling to the cell would be beneficial because it would inhibit the cell's ability to take in glucose B. Developing cancer reagents that promote the TCA cycle would be beneficial because it could diminish the Walberg effect O D. Developing cancer reagents that inhibit pyruvate kinase would be beneficial because it inhibits glycolysis A. Developing cancer reagents that promote the activation of hexokinase would be beneficial for inhibiting cancer growth because it would inhibit glycolysis

Answer 1

B. Developing cancer reagents that promote the TCA cycle would be beneficial because it could diminish the Walberg effect.

Explanation: When most of the cells prefer much more efficient oxidative phosphorylation pathway, cancer cells have a tendency to favor metabolism via glycolysis. This is called Walberg effect. If we can develop cancer reagents that promote TCA cycle, it would be able to reduce walberg effect and would suppress tumor growth. Because, once the cell follows TCA cycle it has to go through oxidative phosphorylation, and this is not a favorable pathway of tumor cells.

D. Developing cancer reagents that inhibit pyruvate kinase would be beneficial because it inhibits glycolysis.

Explanation: Glycolysis is the most efficient and favorable metabolic pathway of cancer cells. If we develop a reagent that can inhibit pyruvate kinase and glycolysis, tumor cells can not grow.