Summary
Cancer cells favour glycolysis and lactate production even when oxygen is abundant.
In depth
Otto Warburg observed in the 1920s that tumours produce lactate in the presence of oxygen. Possible benefits: rapid ATP, building blocks for biosynthesis and acidifying the environment. PET scans using FDG exploit it.
Aerobic glycolysis supports rapid biosynthesis. Oncogenes (Myc, Ras) and HIF-1 promote it. Therapies targeting metabolism are in trials.
Common mistake: cancer cells do still use mitochondria.
In the 1920s Otto Warburg observed that tumour cells take up large amounts of glucose and convert much of it to lactate even in the presence of oxygen, a process called aerobic glycolysis. This yields just 2 ATP per glucose, so is inefficient for energy.
Explanations include rapid ATP production, supply of carbon skeletons, NADPH and nucleotides for cell growth, acid in the microenvironment that aids invasion, and oncogene-driven changes (Ras, Myc, HIF). Mitochondria are generally still functional. FDG-PET scans exploit the glucose avidity to image tumours.
Example: radioactive fluorodeoxyglucose accumulates in tumours.
Remember: it is a feature of rapidly proliferating cells, not proof that cancer cells have damaged mitochondria.
Frequently asked questions
What is Warburg Effect?
Cancer cells favour glycolysis and lactate production even when oxygen is abundant.
Which area of biology covers Warburg Effect, and how advanced is it?
Warburg Effect is one of the 53 topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration, Brown Fat Thermogenesis, Oxidative Phosphorylation.
Can you give an example of Warburg Effect?
Many tumours appear bright in FDG-PET.
What should I learn before Warburg Effect?
Work through the Beginner topics in Metabolism & Bioenergetics first, such as Metabolism, Anabolism and Catabolism, ATP, then return to Warburg Effect. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Warburg Effect?
The closest topics to Warburg Effect are Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration, Brown Fat Thermogenesis, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Alcoholic Fermentation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Warburg Effect?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Warburg Effect. To practise the whole of Metabolism & Bioenergetics, use the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz.
How is Warburg Effect different from Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration?
Warburg Effect: Cancer cells favour glycolysis and lactate production even when oxygen is abundant. Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration: Aerobic uses oxygen for a large ATP yield; anaerobic occurs without oxygen with much less ATP. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Warburg Effect?
Cancer cells do still use mitochondria.
How should I study Warburg Effect step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Metabolism & Bioenergetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.