Answered
Yes, cancer cells utilize the Krebs cycle, but often in an altered or reprogrammed form. Many cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to support rapid proliferation, a phenomenon termed the Warburg effect, where cells favor aerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation, even in the presence of oxygen. Despite this, intermediates from the Krebs cycle remain essential for biosynthetic processes, such as nucleotide, lipid, and amino acid synthesis. Some cancer cells also use anaplerotic reactions to replenish Krebs cycle intermediates and sustain biomass production. Certain tumors reactivate or partially rely on mitochondrial metabolism, including the Krebs cycle, for survival and metastasis, depending on the tumor type, environment, and genetic mutations.
BNO Team