Fig. 1.

Metabolic patterns and their continuous transition in cancer cells. These metabolic patterns can transition from one to another according to different triggers and requirements in cancer cells. (A) Schematic representation of glycolytic metabolic phenotype. Cancer cells in the glycolytic metabolic pattern take up high levels of glucose and produce high levels of lactate to meet energy and synthesis demands. (B) Schematic representation of OXPHOS metabolic phenotype. Cancer cells have a better “burn efficiency” by relying on high mitochondrial function and consuming more oxygen. (C) Schematic representation of combined metabolic phenotype. Cancer cells in the metabolic pattern have high plasticity and characteristics of high glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism