Metabolic Effects of Sodium Oxamate on Glucose-Derived Lactate Production in Cultured Liver Cancer Cells

Cancer is a disease that targets the metabolic processes of cells, abnormally rewiring the metabolic pathways to form the Tumor Microenvironment (TME). As exhibited by the Warburg effect, cellular reprogramming in the TME produces heightened amounts of lactate. One such enzyme that aids in the production of lactate is Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which converts pyruvate to lactate during steps of anaerobic glycolysis. LDHA can be inhibited by Sodium Oxamate, an isosteric competitor that blocks pyruvate binding on the active site. In this study, we examined the production of lactate in HUH-7 liver cancer cells over differing periods of time using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR). Details of this study will be presented.