Q.59 Given below are two statements:
Statement I:Cancer cells have to rely on glycolysis for their energy requirements.
Statement II: 2-deoxyglucose has shown potential as a chemotherapeutic agent.
In the light of above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
1. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Both Statement I and Statement II are true, making Option 1 the correct answer.
Cancer cells preferentially use glycolysis even in oxygen-rich conditions, and 2-deoxyglucose targets this vulnerability as a potential cancer therapy.
Core Concepts
Cancer cells exhibit the Warburg effect, where they favor aerobic glycolysis—converting glucose to lactate even when oxygen is available—instead of efficient mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.
This shift supports rapid proliferation by providing quick ATP, biosynthetic intermediates, and an acidic microenvironment favorable for invasion.
2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG) is a glucose analog that inhibits glycolysis by competing with glucose for uptake (via GLUT transporters) and hexokinase, depleting energy in glycolytic-dependent cancer cells.
Statement Analysis
Statement I: Correct
Cancer cells do rely heavily on glycolysis for energy due to the Warburg effect, upregulating glucose transporters (GLUT1) and glycolytic enzymes despite functional mitochondria.
This is not absolute (some oxidative phosphorylation occurs), but glycolysis dominates their energy metabolism to fuel biosynthesis and growth.
The phrasing “have to rely” accurately captures this metabolic reprogramming as a hallmark of cancer.
Statement II: Correct
2-Deoxyglucose shows chemotherapeutic potential by mimicking glucose, entering cells, and trapping in the first glycolytic step (phosphorylated but non-metabolizable), starving glycolytic tumors of ATP.
Preclinical studies confirm it reverses chemoresistance and synergizes with other drugs in breast, prostate, and other cancers.
Clinical trials have tested it, validating its anti-cancer mechanism.
Options Explained
| Option | Why Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|
| 1. Both true | ✅ Correct. Warburg effect confirms Statement I; 2-DG’s glycolysis inhibition validates Statement II. |
| 2. Both false | ❌ Wrong. Both statements align with established cancer metabolism research. |
| 3. I true, II false | ❌ Wrong. Statement II holds; 2-DG is a researched glycolysis inhibitor with therapeutic promise. |
| 4. I false, II true | ❌ Wrong. Statement I is textbook Warburg effect; cancer cells indeed prioritize glycolysis. |
Exam Relevance
This question tests understanding of cancer metabolism (Warburg effect) and glycolytic targeting for therapy—key for NEET PG, CSIR NET, IIT JAM Biotechnology.
Mnemonic: Warburg = “W” for glycolysis reliance; 2-DG = “D” for disrupts it.
Both statements true → Option 1.
