The researcher at INSERM (French Institute for Health and Medical Research) Jean-Ehrland Ricci examines the correlation between glycolysis, cell death and immune response in tumor cells. He explained his latest developments in his research on IDIBELL seminar series November 18. Most cancer cells exhibit increased glycolysis for the generation of their energy supply (named the Warburg’s effect). This specificity is explored by numerous laboratories and pharmaceutical companies to try to preferentially kill these cells.

“It has been shown that inhibition of the metabolism of glucose makes cells more sensitive to apoptosis (cell death)” Ricci explained, “so in a context of chemoresistance or when it is necessary reducing chemotherapy treatment for its high toxicity, combine chemotherapy with the inhibition of glycolysis could improve treatment. In fact, in animal models, it works.”

In reference to the correlation between glycolysis and an anti-cancer immune response “we must keep in mind that the inhibition of glucose metabolism kills more cells but does so through different pathways. In this sense, from our laboratory we are studying how targeting glycolysis, in combination with chemotherapy, can influence the induction of an immune response which controls tumors and relapses. “