What are the Clinical Implications of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway?
Deficiencies in enzymes of the PPP, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, can lead to hemolytic anemia. This condition arises due to the inability of red blood cells to combat oxidative stress. Additionally, the PPP is often upregulated in cancer cells to meet their increased biosynthetic and antioxidative demands.
