In healthy cells, glucose and oxygen bum or combust to provide energy. The
by‑products are carbon dioxide and water. This process involves the use of
oxygen and is therefore known as “Arobic Glycolysis”. See
Figure 2
In cancer calls however, glucose is broken down without the aid of oxygen and
the process is known as anaerobic glycolysis, like in fermentation. It appears
that cancer cells prefer this metabolic pathway. The hypoxic condition in solid
tumor is highly favorable to tumor growth. Anaerobic glycolysis ends up with a
lot of lactic acid by-product. The effect and fate of lactic acid in tumor, will
the discussed later.
