Comments on “Inhibition of the ketolytic acetyl CoA supply to tumors could be their ‘Achilles heel’”

Abstract

Schwartz hypothesize that the breakdown of ketone bodies is a tumor cell's "unique source of mitochondrial acetyl CoA". 1 They propose to inhibit the enzyme succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid-CoA transferase (SCOT, also known as 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase 1 or OXCT1) which is specific for the ketolytic pathway. Therefore, its inhibition would "deprive tumor cell mitochondria of acetyl CoA" which could be a tumor cell's most vulnerable metabolic pathway. 1 As a corollary of their hypothesis, a ketogenic diet (KD) would be inappropriate to treat cancer patients as it increases ketone body supply to tumor cells and hence supports acetyl CoA production and tumor growth.