GSK 2837808A rapidly and profoundly inhibits lactate production rates in multiple cancer cell lines including hepatocellular and breast carcinomas. GSK 2837808A increases rates of oxygen consumption in hepatocellular carcinoma cells at dose up to 3 microM, while higher concentrations directly inhibits mitochondrial function. GSK 2837808A dose dependently potentiates PKM2 activity, inhibits proliferation of Snu398 cells and induces apoptosis in Snu398 cells.