OSAKA, Japan – 2025/06/15 20:42:34 – A team at Osaka Metropolitan University has uncovered a novel mechanism by which a compound found in kencur ginger can disrupt energy production in cancer cells.The findings, led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa, suggest new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment by challenging existing understandings of cancer metabolism.

Human cells generate energy through the oxidation of glucose, producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate).cancer cells, however, often rely on glycolysis, a less efficient process that doesn’t require oxygen, even when it’s available. This phenomenon, known as the Warburg effect, has puzzled scientists for years.

The research team focused on ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, a key component of kencur ginger, known for its inhibitory effects on cancer cells. They administered this acid ester to Ehrlich ascites tumor cells to pinpoint which part of the cancer cells’ energy pathway was affected.

The study revealed that the acid ester inhibits ATP production by interfering with de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism, rather than directly targeting glycolysis. Interestingly, the researchers also observed that the inhibition triggered an increase in glycolysis, potentially as a survival mechanism for the cancer cells. This adaptability, according to the team, might be due to ethyl p-methoxycinnamate’s inability to induce cell death.

Implications for Cancer Therapy

The findings offer a fresh outlook on the Warburg effect and its role in cancer metabolism. By understanding how this ginger compound disrupts energy production, researchers can explore new avenues for developing targeted cancer therapies.

“These findings not only provide new insights that supplement and expand the theory of the warburg effect…but are also expected to lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.” – Professor Kojima-Yuasa

Challenging the warburg Effect

The conventional understanding of the Warburg effect suggests that cancer cells primarily rely on glycolysis for energy production. However, this new research indicates that disrupting fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism can also significantly impact ATP production in cancer cells.

This discovery opens up new possibilities for therapeutic intervention, as targeting these option metabolic pathways could potentially starve cancer cells of the energy they need to proliferate and survive.