Warburg Effect

Based on his research, Otto Warburg theorized that cells that are unable to use oxygen could represent the starting point of cancer. This was debated for years until about 1953 when Watson and Crick discovered the structure of the DNA molecule—which led to cancer being perceived as a disease governed by mutated genes. Plus, “the metabolic catalysts that Warburg spent his career analyzing began to be referred to as housekeeping enzymes.” During the past decade, however, research is now looking at Warburg’s “housekeeping enzymes” (cancer metabolism). They have again become one of the most promising areas of cancer research. After all these years, some scientists are beginning to wonder if cancer metabolism may be the common weak point in a disease that shows up in a couple hundred different forms.