Warburg Effect: a Diagnostic Challenge for Clinicians

Abstract

The Warburg effect is a common and serious complication at the onset or during the management of solid neoplasms or haematological malignancies. It is due to a specific malignant-cell metabolism, where lactic fermentation predominates over oxidative phosphorylation regardless of the oxygen level, leading to some degree of lactate accumulation with type-B lactic acidosis and asymptomatic hypoglycaemia. Since the diagnosis of Warburg effect is a challenge, we propose an algorithm to help clinicians and discuss its treatment.