A pH-Based Metabolic Approach to Brain Cancer: A Review
Hydrogen Ion Dynamics of Cancer and a New Molecular, Biochemical and Metabolic Approach to the Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of Brain Malignancies
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
- Evidence type
- Review or commentary
- Authors
- Salvador Harguindey, Julian Polo Orozco, Khalid O. Alfarouk, Jesús Devesa
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 31480530
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 19 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Spain
TL;DR
Scientists discovered that a deadly brain cancer called glioblastoma might be beatable by targeting the acid balance inside cancer cells, which could finally give doctors a new way to treat this cancer that has been almost impossible to cure.
Summary
Scientists have identified a promising new approach to treat glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer. This cancer relies heavily on sugar for energy and creates an acidic environment through hydrogen ion activity. Researchers propose targeting the tumor's pH levels and hydrogen ion transporters, particularly a protein called NHE1, to disrupt cancer growth. This pH-centered approach could work alone or alongside current treatments. Since glioblastoma has remained essentially incurable for decades with extremely poor survival rates, this hydrogen ion-focused strategy represents a potentially breakthrough treatment paradigm for patients facing this devastating diagnosis.
Abstract (excerpt)
The treatment of cancer has been slowly but steadily progressing during the last fifty years. Some tumors with a high mortality in the past are curable nowadays. However, there is one striking exception: glioblastoma multiforme. No real breakthrough has been hitherto achieved with this tumor…