Doxorubicin-induced central nervous system toxicity and protection by xanthone derivative of Garcinia mangostana.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a potent, broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug used around the world. Despite its effectiveness, it has a wide range of toxic side effects, many of which most likely result from its inherent pro-oxidant activity. It has been reported that Dox has toxic effects on normal tissues, including brain tissue.

p53 Protects lung cancer cells against metabolic stress.

The preferential use of aerobic glycolysis for energy production by cancer cells, a phenomenon known as the 'Warburg effect', is well recognized and is being considered for therapeutic applications. However, whether inhibition of glycolysis will be effective in all types of cancer is unclear. The current study shows that a glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), exhibits the cytotoxic effect on non-small cell lung cancer in a p53-dependent manner.

p53 is an important factor for the radiosensitization effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

Metabolic change in cancer cells by preferential production of energy through glycolysis is a well-documented characteristic of cancer. However, whether inhibition of glycolysis will enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy is a matter of debate. In this study which uses lung cancer as the model, we demonstrate that the improvement of radiotherapy by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is p53-dependent.