Targeting Cancer Metabolism: The Future of Oncology | Dr. Tomás Duraj | The Metabolic Link Ep. 61

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Feb 11, 2025

Dr. Tomás Duraj, a physician-scientist specializing in cancer metabolism, discusses revolutionary insights on targeting cancer through its metabolism. He explains how mitochondrial dysfunction underpins cancer development and explores the Warburg effect, emphasizing the need to target both glucose and glutamine metabolism. Duraj advocates for ketogenic therapy combined with standard treatments to create a hostile environment for tumors. He also highlights innovative imaging techniques and the potential for broader applications of metabolic strategies across various cancer types.

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ANECDOTE

Path From MD To Metabolic Oncology

Dr. Tomás Duraj trained as a medical doctor in Madrid and then pivoted to a PhD in cancer metabolism.
He joined Dr. Thomas Seyfried's lab to bridge bench research and translational clinical strategies.

INSIGHT

Compare Tumors To Matched Normal Cells

Comparing tumor cells with matched normal cells reveals metabolic flexibilities and essential fuel dependencies.
Such comparisons clarify whether ketones, fatty acids, or lactate can truly substitute for glucose/glutamine.

INSIGHT

Mitochondria As A Primary Driver

Mitochondrial dysfunction can be a primary driver of malignant transformation rather than just downstream of mutations.
Restoring efficient oxidative phosphorylation could reverse cancer phenotype despite existing mutations.

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What if we could target cancer at its metabolic core? In this episode of The Metabolic Link, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino is joined by Dr. Tomás Duraj, a physician and cancer metabolism researcher working alongside Dr. Thomas Seyfried.

Dr. Duraj is the lead author of a groundbreaking review on ketogenic metabolic therapy for glioblastoma, bringing together leading experts to explore how metabolic strategies could reshape cancer treatment.

In this deep-dive conversation, they discuss the bioenergetics of cancer, the role of mitochondria, the Warburg effect, and why targeting glucose and glutamine metabolism may be the key to making standard cancer therapies more effective.

Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, or someone interested in the latest advancements in cancer therapy, this episode is packed with insights that could redefine the way we think about cancer treatment. Watch the full episode here or listen on your favorite podcast player for this must-hear discussion on the future of metabolic therapy for cancer!

Read Dr. Duraj's paper: Clinical research framework proposal for ketogenic metabolic therapy in glioblastoma

About Dr. Tomás Duraj
Dr. Tomás Duraj is a Czech physician-scientist, receiving his Medical Degree from the Rey Juan Carlos University and his PhD in Translational Medicine from the CEU San Pablo University (Madrid, Spain). His research focuses on studying the potential of bioenergetic modulation in cancer metabolism, with special emphasis on glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor. After developing cancer research at the team of Dr. Ayuso Sacido, he joined Dr. Thomas N. Seyfried’s laboratory in Boston College. His goal is to advance our understanding of metabolic oncology on a rigorous, evidence-based background, making it part of the standard oncology toolkit.

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