2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)
2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is an analogue of glucose in which a 2-hydroxyl group is replaced by hydrogen. Despite this minor change in its structure, glucose transporters can still carry 2DG into cancer cells disguised as “fake sugar” that they crave intensely.
This alteration prevents sugar from participating in anaerobic glycolysis, the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose for energy. By interfering with glycolysis, 2DG has the potential to starve cancer cells, which heavily depend on glucose for their rapid growth. Source: 2dg.org
Studies
This study says:
Due to its ability to inhibit glycolysis and ATP synthesis, disrupt N-glycosylation of proteins, decrease energy metabolism and NADPH levels, and interfere with cellular thiol metabolism, generating oxidative stress, 2-DG appears to be an efficient cytotoxic agent. Importantly, all of these effects are mostly observed in cancer cells, without significant effect on the viability of normal cells. Moreover, a unique ability to affect cancer cells under hypoxic conditions, which often limits traditional cytotoxic agents, has made 2-DG a promising candidate not only for monotherapy, but also as a component of combination therapy with other commercially available drugs, bioactive compounds, and radiotherapy.
Overall, it is plausible that 2-DG should be considered a potential adjuvant agent that has a selective, cell-specific chemosensitizing effect, improving the efficacy of standard chemotherapeutics. It is important to again underline the safety of 2-DG. Various animal and clinical studies demonstrate that 2-DG is safe and relatively non-toxic in animals and humans. The most common adverse events after a 63 mg/kg dose of 2-DG were not life threating, and included fatigue, sweating, dizziness, and nausea, mimicking the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
This study concludes:
Of the antiglycolytic agents, 2DG, a glucose analog, is a potential potent antitumor agent. It is toxic to certain cancer cells, even at a relatively low dosage. The mechanisms involved include the depletion of cellular energy, increased oxidative stress, interference with N-linked glycosylation, and induction of autophagy. Generally, 2DG only leads to growth inhibition of most cancer cells. To achieve efficacious anticancer treatment, different strategies must be combined with 2DG to overcome the defects of mono-therapy. Further investigations are underway to identify the underlying mechanisms, proper combined therapies, and clinical applications of this promising agent.
2DG Safety and Side Effects
2DG is generally well-tolerated by everyone, even with long-term use. In the rare instances when side effects occur, they are usually mild and transient, such as fatigue, sweating, and light-headedness — similar to symptoms of low blood sugar.
These side effects typically last only 60 minutes after administration and can be completely avoided by closely following the dosage guide. Source: 2dg.org
2-Deoxy-D-glucose can be purchased online.