Pyruvate kinase M2 contributes to cell growth in gastric cancer via aerobic glycolysis

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) serves as a key enzyme that promotes aerobic glycolysis. This study investigated the function of PKM2 in tumor growth and maintenance in gastric cancer (GC). Histological staining was applied to detect PKM2 expression in GC tissues. PCR and western blotting were used to measure PKM2 expression in GC cells. PKM2 was knocked down to examine the biological behavior of tumors, glycometabolism, and apoptosis. PKM2 was upregulated in GC tissues (65%, 34/52) compared with that in adjacent normal tissues (27%, 10/37). Moreover, PKM2 knockdown inhibited proliferation of BGC823 GC cells, and elevated PKM2 levels were associated with poor survival of GC patients. Furthermore, knockdown of PKM2 altered the biological behavior of BGC823 cells through induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that inhibition of PKM2 could represent a novel strategy for gastric cancer treatment.