How Do Metabolic Fingerprints Differ in Cancer Cells?
Cancer cells exhibit several characteristic metabolic alterations. One of the most well-known changes is the Warburg effect, where cancer cells prefer glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation even in the presence of oxygen. This shift results in increased glucose uptake and lactate production. Other alterations include changes in amino acid metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and the use of alternative carbon sources. These metabolic shifts provide energy and biosynthetic precursors necessary for rapid cell division.
