Abstract
Cells can obtain energy through the oxygen-dependent pathway of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and through the oxygen-independent pathway of glycolysis. Since OXPHOS is more efficient in generating ATP than glycolysis, it is recognized that the presence of oxygen results in the activation of OXPHOS and the inhibition of glycolysis (Pasteur effect). However, it has been known for many years that cancer cells and non-malignant proliferating cells can activate glycolysis in the presence of adequate oxygen levels (aerobic glycolysis or Warburg effect). Accumulating evidence suggests that the persistent activation of aerobic glycolysis in tumor cells plays a crucial role in cancer development; the inhibition of the increased glycolytic capacity of malignant cells may therefore represent a key anticancer strategy. Although some important knowledge has been gained in the last few years on this growing field of research, the basis of the Warburg effect still remains poorly understood. This communication analyzes why cancer cells switch from OXPHOS to glycolysis in the presence of adequate oxygen levels, and how these cells manage to avoid the inhibition of glycolysis induced by oxygen. Several strategies and drugs that may interfere with the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells are also shown. This information may help develop anticancer approaches that may have clinical relevance.
Keywords: Aerobic glycolysis, glycolysis inhibitors, metabolism, dysoxic metabolism, hypoxia-inducible factor 1, reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: The Warburg Effect: Why and How Do Cancer Cells Activate Glycolysis in the Presence of Oxygen?
Volume: 8 Issue: 3
Author(s): Miguel Lopez-Lazaro
Affiliation:
Keywords: Aerobic glycolysis, glycolysis inhibitors, metabolism, dysoxic metabolism, hypoxia-inducible factor 1, reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion
Abstract: Cells can obtain energy through the oxygen-dependent pathway of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and through the oxygen-independent pathway of glycolysis. Since OXPHOS is more efficient in generating ATP than glycolysis, it is recognized that the presence of oxygen results in the activation of OXPHOS and the inhibition of glycolysis (Pasteur effect). However, it has been known for many years that cancer cells and non-malignant proliferating cells can activate glycolysis in the presence of adequate oxygen levels (aerobic glycolysis or Warburg effect). Accumulating evidence suggests that the persistent activation of aerobic glycolysis in tumor cells plays a crucial role in cancer development; the inhibition of the increased glycolytic capacity of malignant cells may therefore represent a key anticancer strategy. Although some important knowledge has been gained in the last few years on this growing field of research, the basis of the Warburg effect still remains poorly understood. This communication analyzes why cancer cells switch from OXPHOS to glycolysis in the presence of adequate oxygen levels, and how these cells manage to avoid the inhibition of glycolysis induced by oxygen. Several strategies and drugs that may interfere with the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells are also shown. This information may help develop anticancer approaches that may have clinical relevance.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Lopez-Lazaro Miguel, The Warburg Effect: Why and How Do Cancer Cells Activate Glycolysis in the Presence of Oxygen?, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152008783961932
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152008783961932 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Decreasing the Metastatic Potential in Cancers - Targeting the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
Current Drug Targets Genetic and Epigenetic Studies for Determining Molecular Targets of Natural Product Anticancer Agents
Current Cancer Drug Targets Current Status of Epigenetics and Anticancer Drug Discovery
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Specific Targeted Therapy: A New Tool for the Destruction of Cancer
Current Drug Therapy Melanoma
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Translational Research in Oncology: The Need of Additional In Vitro Preclinical Testing Methods for New Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antioxidants in Health, Disease and Aging
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Current Status of CETP Inhibitors in the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: An Update
Current Clinical Pharmacology The Anti-Tumor Mechanism and Target of Triptolide Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Insights into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases in Health and Disease
Current Chemical Biology Characterization and in vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Meloxicam Loaded PEGylated Mixed Micelles Fabricated Using Quality by Design Approach
Drug Delivery Letters Signal Transduction Pathways of Inflammatory Gene Expressions and Therapeutic Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Patents Reveal Microtubules as Persistent Promising Target for Novel Drug Development for Cancers
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Peptide-Based Anticancer Vaccines: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry Oncologists Current Opinion on the Treatment of Colon Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Molecular and Cellular Regulators of Cancer Angiogenesis
Current Cancer Drug Targets Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain-2 Silencing Induced by Hydrodynamic Limb Vein Injection Enhances Vascular Regeneration in Critical Limb Ischemia Mice through Activation of Multiple Genes
Current Gene Therapy Recent Updates on the Calcium-Sensing Receptor as a Drug Target
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances and Future Directions in the Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Editorial [ Hot Topic: Wnt Signaling (Guest Editor: Rashna D. Balsara) ]
Current Drug Targets