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In a recent publication titled 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Inhibits Aggressive Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells By Targeting Glycolysis And The Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype – a research group in Ireland, headed by Dr. Lorraine Driscoll, showed that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells which are particularly resistant to conventional treatment in patients are sensitive to 2-DG. The study compares a particularly aggressive strain of TNBC to its less aggressive parental type. It shows that the more aggressive strain has in vitro characteristics (migration, invasion, and resistance to anoikis – a form of programmed cell death) of being metastatic. Results indicate that all three of these metastatic traits can be inhibited by 2-DG based on differences in the metabolism of these two TNBC lines.

However, the doses of 2-DG used in these experiments are 7.5 to 15 times greater than what we have previously shown can be achieved in patients when taking 2-DG orally once per day. Moreover, if used in patients, the doses in this study are at concentration levels where liver adsorption, as well as insulin induction, would redirect 2-DG into liver, fat and muscle cells and away from tumor sites.

This further supports the use of metronomic 2-DG (i.e., delivered via a slow-release pump) as a viable means of delivering 2-DG at low enough doses that will not induce liver adsorption and/or induction of an insulin response. Based on the millions of PET scans conducted to date, it is known that low dose 2-DG does preferentially accumulate in tumor versus normal cells. These results are now explained by more recent findings demonstrating that the very genes that are driving cancer (oncogenes) are found to also be responsible for increased glucose uptake and metabolism, justifying labeling 2-DG as a universal treatment for cancer. Thus, continuous slow-infusion of 2-DG will effectively accumulate in tumor cells and eventually reach a concentration that will be preferentially toxic to cancer versus normal cells.

We are currently exploring opportunities with the US Food & Drug Administration to make our metronomic 2-DG treatment protocol available to Stage 3 and 4 cancer patients under the FDA’s “Compassionate Use” designation. Watch this space for further updates.

Our academic research relies largely on philanthropy to keep moving forward. Please consider donating to our cause. Our goal is to raise $300,000/year to provide the necessary research to bring our 2-DG treatment protocol through the relevant clinical trials in order to make it available to patients worldwide. We would appreciate your help by donating using the link above.

Dr. Theodore J. Lampidis, Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, recently received a Congressional Record in honor of his work studying the combination of two non-toxic drugs to treat cancer. Florida Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen spoke about UM and Lampidis’ research on the U.S. House floor on July 13, 2016.

“One of the leading research universities in the country, the University of Miami has developed a pool of world-class talent and advanced infrastructure that is helping lead the science and tech boom that is shaping South Florida’s future for the better,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen while addressing the Speaker of the House.

“Among the exciting research breakthroughs taking place at Coral Gables is the work of the Lampidis lab at the Miller School of Medicine.

“Dr. Lampidis and his associates have found that, when given in combination with a common cholesterol medication, non-toxic 2-DG therapy effectively kills tumors without the use of harsh, conventional chemotherapy drugs. I congratulate Dr. Lampidis and his lab for their efforts to improve our community, our nation, and our world.”

Previously, Dr Lampidis’s laboratory has gained international recognition and leadership in the exploitation of increased glucose metabolism in cancer cells using the sugar analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (better known as 2-DG). Cancer cells found in the inner core of all solid tumors – due to the abnormally low levels of oxygen in that location – must rely on the process of glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose for energy, to survive. These cells, by nature of their slow growth, have been found to be the most resistant to conventional cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. Lampidis and his team showed that a false sugar such as 2-DG, which blocks glycolysis, selectively starves these slow-growing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. His latest research is based on a combination therapy using 2-DG and fenofibrate, a well-studied cholesterol medication, to effectively target the entire tumor without the need for toxic chemotherapy.

“I am very thankful to Representative Ros-Lehtinen for discussing our important cancer research at UM in the US House of Representatives,” said Lampidis. “We believe our findings effectively pave the way for using non-toxic treatments for a wide variety of cancers.”

Click here to read about Lampidis’ latest study on 2-DG and fenofibrate.