Mitochondria in cancer: Not just innocent bystanders

Christian Frezza; Eyal Gottlieb

doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2008.11.008

Mitochondria in cancer: Not just innocent bystanders

Christian Frezza, Eyal Gottlieb

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

218 Scopus citations

Abstract

The first half of the 20th century produced substantial breakthroughs in bioenergetics and mitochondria research. During that time, Otto Warburg observed abnormally high glycolysis and lactate production in oxygenated cancer cells, leading him to suggest that defects in mitochondrial functions are at the heart of malignant cell transformation. Warburg's hypothesis profoundly influenced the present perception of cancer metabolism, positioning what is termed aerobic glycolysis in the mainstream of clinical oncology. While some of his ideas stood the test of time, they also frequently generated misconceptions regarding the biochemical mechanisms of cell transformation. This review examines experimental evidence which supports or refutes the Warburg effect and discusses the possible advantages conferred on cancer cells by 'metabolic transformation'.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	4-11
Number of pages	8
Journal	Seminars in cancer biology
Volume	19
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2008.11.008
State	Published - Feb 2009
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cancer
Glycolysis
Metabolism
Mitochondria
Oxidative phosphorylation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cancer Research

Access to Document

10.1016/j.semcancer.2008.11.008

Cite this

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title = "Mitochondria in cancer: Not just innocent bystanders",

abstract = "The first half of the 20th century produced substantial breakthroughs in bioenergetics and mitochondria research. During that time, Otto Warburg observed abnormally high glycolysis and lactate production in oxygenated cancer cells, leading him to suggest that defects in mitochondrial functions are at the heart of malignant cell transformation. Warburg's hypothesis profoundly influenced the present perception of cancer metabolism, positioning what is termed aerobic glycolysis in the mainstream of clinical oncology. While some of his ideas stood the test of time, they also frequently generated misconceptions regarding the biochemical mechanisms of cell transformation. This review examines experimental evidence which supports or refutes the Warburg effect and discusses the possible advantages conferred on cancer cells by 'metabolic transformation'.",

keywords = "Cancer, Glycolysis, Metabolism, Mitochondria, Oxidative phosphorylation",

author = "Christian Frezza and Eyal Gottlieb",

note = "Funding Information: CF is supported by a Long-Term Fellowship from the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). We thank Raul Duran for a constructive discussion, Alessandra Stangherlin for helping with the figures and Ayala King for an excellent editorial work.",

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AU - Gottlieb, Eyal

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AB - The first half of the 20th century produced substantial breakthroughs in bioenergetics and mitochondria research. During that time, Otto Warburg observed abnormally high glycolysis and lactate production in oxygenated cancer cells, leading him to suggest that defects in mitochondrial functions are at the heart of malignant cell transformation. Warburg's hypothesis profoundly influenced the present perception of cancer metabolism, positioning what is termed aerobic glycolysis in the mainstream of clinical oncology. While some of his ideas stood the test of time, they also frequently generated misconceptions regarding the biochemical mechanisms of cell transformation. This review examines experimental evidence which supports or refutes the Warburg effect and discusses the possible advantages conferred on cancer cells by 'metabolic transformation'.

KW - Cancer

KW - Glycolysis

KW - Metabolism

KW - Mitochondria

KW - Oxidative phosphorylation

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Mitochondria in cancer: Not just innocent bystanders

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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