Targeting aerobic glycolysis in ovarian and other cancers

Normal cells use two biochemical pathways to generate energy. When oxygen is plentiful, mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate is preferred, with cells switching to glycolysis when oxygen levels are low. Cancerous cells differ, preferring glycolysis which generates energy rapidly and has several advantages that facilitate tumour growth. By targeting glycolysis it may be possible to starve cancerous cells with limited effect on normal tissue. The project aims to find novel biomarkers that may identify patient groups with differing risk of developing resistance or more rapid disease progression, inform as to which type and stage of cancer may be most susceptible to inhibition of glycolysis, understand the relative importance of specific biomarkers or targets in the underlying tumour development and spread and, potentially, the mechanisms involved in drug resistance or insensitivity. The results should also provide validated preclinical models for proof-of-concept studies.