Metabolic interplay between glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidation: The reverse Warburg effect and its therapeutic implication

Figure 1 The Warburg effect contributes to the initiation of tumor metastasis by lowering intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. After matrix detachment, cancer cells decrease intracellular ROS levels through inducing enzymes involved in the glycolysis and antioxidant systems for their survival. The Warburg effect is strongly linked with modulation of ROS system. PDK: Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase; ROS: Reactive oxygen species.