A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a breakthrough in Breast Cancer, opening new opportunities to the ways we treat cancer. The team of researchers aimed to identify the relationship between the cancer cell, in its use of sugar glucose to generate energy (also known as the Warburg pathway) and cancer growth. Ultimately, it was discovered that an enzyme (PFKFB4) in the Warburg pathway activates SRC-3, a leading cause of Breast Cancer.

Dr. Bert O’Malley, chair and professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology mentions “in the 1920s, Otto Warburg and his research team discovered that cancer cells consume larger amounts of glucose than normal cells”. Cells generate energy from glucose and there are two ways in which this can be done: firstly, energy can be generated within the mitochondria (a part of the cell responsible for energy production). Secondly, through a pathway known as fermentation. While mostly cells generate energy through the first method using mitochondria, about 80% of cancer cells prefer the alternative pathway; that of fermentation. This became known as the Warburg Theory. A theory which has, only recently, been tested again in helping to find a new way of detecting cancer.

WARBURG PATHWAY- A CONNECTION TO CANCER
The laboratory in which O’Malley conducted his research in, identified SRC-3, a protein responsible for the regulation of gene expression. This is produced in large quantities in cancer cells, transforming it into an oncogene; which is, to say, that it is able to fight against abnormal growth genes, invasion and anti-cancer drugs. SRC-3 has often been understood as the root of tumour growth.

A recent research study identified the PFKFB4 enzyme as a dominant regulator of the SRC-3 protein. This surprised the research team, as, formerly, it had never been described as an enzyme that could add phosphate to groups of proteins. O’Malley adds “when PFKFB4 is added to a phosphate group of SRC-3, it increases the likelihood of developing Breast Cancer and other cancer types”.

The team found that the removal of PFKFB4 enzyme and SRC-3 protein, removes the risk of recurrence and metastatic Breast Cancer. The mystery, interestingly had remained unsolved for one hundred years. The research will allow those in medicine to further improve how to detect cancer by being able to observe the PFKFB4 enzyme and SRC-3 protein balance.

Verita Life is a leading provider of Integrative Cancer Treatments. We welcome the findings of this research, which sheds insight into the relationship between cancer cell growth and the balance of the PFKFB4 enzyme, alongside the SRC-3 protein in the body. The findings show that both of these being present increases cancer cell growth, while having them removed, allows for the elimination of recurrence and metastasis. Having this new information will improve the ways Breast Cancer is diagnosed and Breast Cancer is treated. Verita Life is able to, as part of its care plan, offer safe and effective Integrative Cancer Treatments. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one.