HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH RSS TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gillies, R. J. Articles by Gatenby, R. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gillies, R. J. Articles by Gatenby, R. A.

Causes and Consequences of Increased Glucose Metabolism of Cancers

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Correspondence: For correspondence or reprints contact: Robert J. Gillies, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612-9416. E-mail: robert.gillies{at}moffitt.org

In this review we examine the mechanisms (causes) underlying the increased glucose consumption observed in tumors within a teleological context (consequences). In other words, we will ask not only "How do cancers have high glycolysis?" but also, "Why?" We believe that the insights gained from answering the latter question support the conclusion that elevated glucose consumption is a necessary component of carcinogenesis. Specifically we propose that glycolysis is elevated because it produces acid, which provides an evolutionary advantage to cancer cells vis-à-vis normal parenchyma into which they invade.

Key Words: cancer • glucose • metabolism • carcinogenesis • acid-base • somatic evolution

COPYRIGHT © 2008 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.