2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2dg)

2DG is a funky molecule that I came across last month and have started taking it last week as an IV infusion.

2DG is a modified version of Glucose having a hydroxyl group replaced with hydrogen. The simple modification means that it can not undergo glycolysis, the fermentation step used by both normal and cancer cells to obtain their energy. In normal cells the byproducts of the initial glycolysis are burned inside the mitochondria, which are the cell’s power factories. This is where the vast majority of a cell’s energy comes from. Many cancer cells rely on the fermentation step only and as this is very inefficient, they require much more glucose to meet their energy needs. As a result, cancer cells soak up available glucose like a sponge to drive their relentless growth.

For all intensive purposes, 2DG has very much the same properties as regular glucose and is readily taken inside cells. As it can not be fermented or oxidised to produce energy, and because it is difficult for cells to expel it, 2DG accumulates inside cells eventually starving them to death or damaging them through increased ROS (reactive oxygen species) production.

So how will 2DG impact normal cells? Normal cells have a backup strategy. When energy can not be obtained from glucose, they can switch to a ketone based metabolism. This basically means burning ketone bodies (fats) instead of sugars. Most cancer cells are not able to do this, though they can be very adaptive and resilient.

The aim of this therapy is simply to feed enough 2DG to starve the cancer cells. I am currently taking 1g per day. I am trying to get the dosage increased to 6g, but am considering going all the way to 12g. Due to supply issues this has not been possible this month.

The possible side effects mimic hypoglycaemia. Dizziness, nausea, hot flushes, sweating etc., though at 1g I have not experienced any side effects. At higher doses (above 0.2g/kg) some animal studies reported significant instances of cardiac damage, so there are some serious dangers to long term use.