2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG) is a glucose analogue in which the 2-hydroxyl group is replaced by hydrogen. Its CAS number is 154-17-6 and molecular weight is 164.16 g/mol. It appears as a white crystalline powder and is highly water soluble.

The key feature of 2-DG is that it is taken up by cells through the same glucose transporters (GLUTs) as regular glucose — but once inside, it cannot be fully metabolised. It is phosphorylated by hexokinase to form 2-DG-6-phosphate, which accumulates intracellularly and competitively inhibits hexokinase and phosphoglucose isomerase, blocking glycolysis at its first committed step.

Cells that depend heavily on glycolysis — particularly cancer cells exhibiting the Warburg effect — are disproportionately affected. Normal cells that can switch to mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation or other fuels are relatively spared.

2-DG has been studied for over 70 years, initially as an antiviral agent in the 1950s, then extensively in oncology research from the 1970s onward, and more recently in longevity and neuroprotection research. It has reached phase I/II clinical trials in cancer.

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