Applications in Cancer
App Notes & Tech Briefs
-
Screening for Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Toxicity
A sensitive and robust cell-based screening assay.
Mitochondrial damage compromises ATP production and consequentially cellular viability. Given the central role that mitochondria play in regulating cellular function, drugs that undermine mitochondrial function frequently elicit toxic effects...
Learn More -
Defining metabolic phenotypes in cancer cells
Kinetic assay reveals the dynamic interplay of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic pathways
Malignant transformation of cells is often characterized by aerobic glycolysis, the conversion of glucose into lactate, despite the presence of oxygen. This metabolic shift, known as the Warburg effect, can occur as a result of the activation or mutation of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, or as an adaptive response to hypoxia...
Learn More -
Measuring glycolysis and oxidative metabolism in cancer cells
Real-time assay enables scientists to connect metabolic pathways with oncogenic phenotypes
Measuring the metabolic pathways in cancer cells, and their co-dependent or compensatory interplay, is important for understanding transformation mechanisms, mechanisms of malignant growth, cancer cell drug resistance, and for discovering potential drugs that are relatively specific for cancer cells...
Learn More -
Metabolic Pathway Determination Using the XF24 Analyzer
Measure Mitochondrial Respiration and Glycolysis Simultaneously
The XF24 Analyzer non-invasively measures physiological changes in cellular bioenergetics and metabolic pathways in vitro using optical biosensors in a 24-well format. Shifts between mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis as a result of genetic, pharmacologic or environmental manipulation can be measured in a single assay. XF24 assays provide increased throughput in a drug discovery format.
Learn More -
Bioenergetic analysis of suspension cells: hematopoietic stem cells and lymphocytes
A real time assay that quantifies the ATP and biosynthetic demands of immune cell proliferation, differentiation and effector function.
Normal suspension cells, such as hematopoietic cells and lymphocytes are responsible for supplying oxygen to the body and protecting the host. Cellular metabolism is markedly dynamic in immune responses during proliferation and immune effector functions...
Learn More
Publications
Multiparameter metabolic analysis reveals a close link between attenuated mitochondrial bioenergetic function and enhanced glycolysis dependency in human tumor cells
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol; 2007 Jan 1. 292 (1):C125-136.
Hyaluronan, CD44, and emmprin regulate lactate efflux and membrane localization of monocarboxylate transporters in human breast carcinoma cells
Cancer Res; 2009 Feb 15. 69 (4):1293-1301.
LDH-A inhibition, a therapeutic strategy for treatment of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer
Mol Cancer Ther; 2009 Mar 1. 8 (3):626-635.
Methods in Cancer Metabolism: Real-Time Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration and Glycolysis Rates of Cancer Cells in a Microplate
Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. Education Book; 2009 Apr 1. :295-300.
Increased OXPHOS activity precedes rise in glycolytic rate in H-RasV12/E1A transformed fibroblasts that develop a Warburg phenotype
Mol Cancer; 2009 Jul 31. 8 (1):54.
Polo-like kinases mediate cell survival in mitochondrial dysfunction
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 2009 Aug 25. 106 (34):14542-14546.
Pharmacologically increased tumor hypoxia can be measured by 18F-Fluoroazomycin arabinoside positron emission tomography and enhances tumor response to hypoxic cytotoxin PR-104
Clin Cancer Res; 2009 Dec 1. 15 (23):7170-7174.
UOK 262 cell line, fumarate hydratase deficient (FH-/FH-) hereditary leiomyomatosis renal cell carcinoma: in vitro and in vivo model of an aberrant energy metabolic pathway in human cancer
Cancer Genet Cytogenet; 2010 Jan 1. 196 (1):45-55.
Differential metabolic responses to pluronic in MDR and non-MDR cells: a novel pathway for chemosensitization of drug resistant cancers
J Control Release; 2010 Feb 25. 142 (1):89-100.
Loss of function of PTEN alters the relationship between glucose concentration and cell proliferation, increases glycolysis, and sensitizes cells to 2-deoxyglucose
Cancer Lett; 2010 Mar 28. 289 (2):246-253.
Mitochondrial metabolism and ROS generation are essential for Kras-mediated tumorigenicity
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 2010 May 11. 107 (19):8788-8793.
Induction of the Warburg effect by Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus is required for the maintenance of latently infected endothelial cells
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; 2010 Jun 8. 107 (23):10696-10701.
Alterations in bioenergetics due to changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number
Methods; 2010 Aug 1. 51 (4):452-457.
Up-regulation of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) of the mitochondrial H+-ATP synthase in human tumors mediates the metabolic shift of cancer cells to a Warburg phenotype
J Biol Chem; 2010 Aug 13. 285 (33):25308-25313.
Phenethyl isothiocyanate inhibits oxidative phosphorylation to trigger reactive oxygen species-mediated death of human prostate cancer cells
J Biol Chem; 2010 Aug 20. 285 (34):26558-26569.
Preclinical Evaluation of Novel Triphenylphosphonium Salts with Broad-Spectrum Activity
PLoS One; 2010 Oct 4. 5 (10):e13131.
Genipin-induced inhibition of uncoupling protein-2 sensitizes drug-resistant cancer cells to cytotoxic agents
PLoS One; 2010 Oct 13. 5 (10):e13289.
Point mutations in c-Myc uncouple neoplastic transformation from multiple other phenotypes in rat fibroblasts
PLoS One; 2010 Oct 28. 5 (10):e13717.
Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation by etomoxir impairs NADPH production and increases reactive oxygen species resulting in ATP depletion and cell death in human glioblastoma cells
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Nov 12; [Epub ahead of print].
Leptin Receptor Signaling Supports Cancer Cell Metabolism through Suppression of Mitochondrial Respiration in Vivo
Am J Pathol; 2010 Dec 1. 177 (6):3133-3144.
CC3/TIP30 regulates metabolic adaptation of tumor cells to glucose limitation
Cell Cycle; 2010 Dec 15. 9 (24):4941-4953.
Acquisition of temozolomide chemoresistance in gliomas leads to remodeling of mitochondrial electron transport chain
J Biol Chem; 2010 Dec 17. 285 (51):39759-39767.
Cytoprotective effect of gamma-tocopherol against tumor necrosis factor alpha induced cell dysfunction in L929 cells
Int J Mol Med; 2011 Jan 1. 28 (5):711-720.
On-target inhibition of tumor fermentative glycolysis as visualized by hyperpolarized pyruvate
Neoplasia; 2011 Jan 1. 13 (1):60-71.
The bioenergetic signature of isogenic colon cancer cells predicts the cell death response to treatment with 3-bromopyruvate, iodoacetate or 5-fluorouracil
J Transl Med; 2011 Feb 10. 9 (19)
Development of chromanes as novel inhibitors of the uncoupling proteins
Chem Biol; 2011 Feb 25. 18 (2):264-274.
Activated Ras requires autophagy to maintain oxidative metabolism and tumorigenesis
Genes Dev; 2011 Mar 1. 25 (5):460-470.
Exploring a glycolytic inhibitor for the treatment of an FH-deficient type-2 papillary RCC
Nat Rev Urol; 2011 Mar 1. 8 (3):165-171.
Expression, signaling proficiency, and stimulatory function of the NKG2D lymphocyte receptor in human cancer cells
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 2011 Mar 8. 108 (10):4081-4086.
Pancreatic cancers require autophagy for tumor growth
Genes Dev; 2011 Apr 1. 25 (7):717-729.
Pyruvate Kinase M2 Is a PHD3-Stimulated Coactivator for Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
Cell; 2011 May 27. 145 (5):732-744.
Bax Supports the Mitochondrial Network, Promoting Bioenergetics in Non-Apoptotic Cells
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol; 2011 Jun 1. 300 (6):466-478.
Kinase Suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) Regulates PGC1{alpha} and Estrogen-Related Receptor {alpha} To Promote Oncogenic Ras-Dependent Anchorage-Independent Growth
Mol Cell Biol; 2011 Jun 1. 31 (12):2453-2461.
AMPK regulates metabolism and survival in response to ionizing radiation
Radiother Oncol; 2011 Jun 1. 99 (3):293-299.
High-mobility group box 1 is essential for mitochondrial quality control
Cell Metab; 2011 Jun 8. 13 (6):701-711.
Mitochondrial Phosphatase PTPMT1 Is Essential for Cardiolipin Biosynthesis
Cell Metab; 2011 Jun 8. 13 (6):690-700.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Impairs Tumor Suppressor p53 Expression/Function
J Biol Chem; 2011 Jun 10. 286 (23):20297-20312.
Glutathionylation acts as a control switch for uncoupling proteins UCP2 and UCP3
J Biol Chem; 2011 Jun 17. 286 (24):21865-21875.
Dietary Fish Oil Promotes Colonic Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Proton Leak in Oxidatively Stressed Mice
Cancer Prev Res (Phila); 2011 Jul 1. 4 (18):1267-1274.
The selective growth inhibition of oral cancer by iron core-gold shell nanoparticles through mitochondria-mediated autophagy
Biomaterials; 2011 Jul 1. 32 (20):4565-4573.
E4F1 deficiency results in oxidative stress-mediated cell death of leukemic cells
J Exp Med; 2011 Jul 4. 208 (7):1403-1417.
Tumorigenesis in tuberous sclerosis complex is autophagy and p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1)-dependent
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 2011 Jul 26. 108 (30):12455-12460.
Akt-dependent glucose metabolism promotes mcl-1 synthesis to maintain cell survival and resistance to bcl-2 inhibition
Cancer Res; 2011 Aug 1. 71 (15):5204-5213.
Targeting GLUT1 and the Warburg Effect in Renal Cell Carcinoma by Chemical Synthetic Lethality
Sci Transl Med; 2011 Aug 3. 3 (94):94ra70.
Withaferin a-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is mediated by reactive oxygen species
PLoS One. 2011 Aug 10; [Epub ahead of print].
Haem oxygenase is synthetically lethal with the tumour suppressor fumarate hydratase
Nature; 2011 Aug 17. 477 (7363):225-8.
Activation of Src induces mitochondrial localisation of de2-7EGFR (EGFRvIII) in glioma cells: implications for glucose metabolism
J Cell Sci; 2011 Sep 1. 124 (Pt 17):2938-2950.
The Glycolytic Shift in Fumarate-Hydratase-Deficient Kidney Cancer Lowers AMPK Levels, Increases Anabolic Propensities and Lowers Cellular Iron Levels
Cancer Cell; 2011 Sep 13. 20 (3):315-327.
Metabolic state of glioma stem cells and nontumorigenic cells
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 2011 Sep 20. 108 (38):16062-16067.
Involvement of mitophagy in oncogenic K-Ras-induced transformation: Overcoming a cellular energy deficit from glucose deficiency
Autophagy; 2011 Oct 1. 7 (10):1187-1198.
NF-kappaB controls energy homeostasis and metabolic adaptation by upregulating mitochondrial respiration
Nat Cell Biol; 2011 Oct 1. 13 (10):1272-1279.
Increases in mitochondrial biogenesis impair carcinogenesis at multiple levels
Mol Oncol; 2011 Oct 1. 5 (5):399-409.
Chaperone-mediated autophagy is required for tumor growth
Sci Transl Med; 2011 Nov 16. 3 (109):109ra117.
Targeting chaperone-mediated autophagy in cancer
Sci Transl Med; 2011 Nov 16. 3 (109):109ps145.
Free Base Lysine Increases Survival and Reduces Metastasis in Prostate Cancer Model
J Cancer Sci Ther S1; 2011 Nov 19.
Intracellular ATP levels are a pivotal determinant of chemoresistance in colon cancer cells
Cancer Res; 2012 Jan 1. 72 (1):304-14.
Protein profiles in human ovarian cancer cell lines correspond to their metabolic activity and to metabolic profiles of respective tumor xenografts
FEBS J. 2012 Jan 12; [Epub ahead of print].
Identification and analysis of the active phytochemicals from the anti-cancer botanical extract bezielle
PLoS One. 2012 Jan 17; [Epub ahead of print].
Vinca alkaloids cause aberrant ROS-mediated JNK activation, Mcl-1 downregulation, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells
Biochem Pharmacol. 2012 Jan 20; [Epub ahead of print].
Akt3 controls VEGF secretion and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer cells
Int J Cancer; 2012 Feb 1. 130 (3):532-43.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Protect Cancer Cells From ROS-induced Apoptosis and Enhance the Warburg Effect by Secreting STC1
Mol Ther; 2012 Feb 1. 20 (2):417-23.
Individualizing antimetabolic treatment strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on TP53 mutational status
Cancer; 2012 Feb 1. 118 (3):711-21.
Human CHCHD4 mitochondrial proteins regulate cellular oxygen consumption rate and metabolism and provide a critical role in hypoxia signaling and tumor progression
J Clin Invest; 2012 Feb 1. 122 (2):600-11.
Dysregulation of Ezrin phosphorylation prevents metastasis and alters cellular metabolism in osteosarcoma
Cancer Res. 2012 Feb 2; [Epub ahead of print].
Altered mitochondrial function and metabolic inflexibility associated with loss of caveolin-1
Cell Metab; 2012 Feb 8. 15 (2):171-185.
Bezielle Selectively Targets Mitochondria of Cancer Cells to Inhibit Glycolysis and OXPHOS
PLoS One. 2012 Feb 10; [Epub ahead of print].
Technical Posters
Synergistic enhancement of 2-deoxy-D-glucose-mediated breast cancer cell death by mitochondria-targeted drugs
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM) 2011
November 16-20, 2011
Atlanta, GASelective killing of breast cancer cells by mitochondria-targeted alpha-tocopherol
Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine (SFRBM) 2011
November 16-20, 2011
Atlanta, GABreast cancer, statins and 3Dcell culture
AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics 2011
November 12-16, 2011
San Francisco, CAThe combination of statins and dipyridamole is effective preclinically in multiple myeloma, acute myelogenous leukemia and breast cancer
AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics 2011
November 12-16, 2011
San Francisco, CABioenergetics of tumors: role of sequential oncogenes activation and microenvironment in the determination of cancer cells metabolic profile.
Mitochondria, Apoptosis and Cancer (MAC '11)
October 27-29, 2011
SingaporeDysregulation of c-terminal ezrin phosphorylation prevents metastasis and alters cellular metabolism in osteosarcoma
AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer 2011
October 16-19, 2011
Baltimore, MDFenofibrate-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial respiration activates FOXO3a-BIM apoptotic pathway in human Glioblastoma cells in vitro
AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer 2011
October 16-19, 2011
Baltimore, MDAMPK regulates metabolism and survival in response to ionizing radiation
AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer 2011
October 16-19, 2011
Baltimore, MDNovel molecular features associated with sensitivity to the anticancer effects of statins in breast tumour cells
AACR Advances in Breast Cancer Research: Genetics, Biology, and Clinical Applications
October 12-15, 2011
San Francisco, CAManipulation of lactate metabolism and radiation resistance in two human ovarian cancer cell lines
14th International Congress of Radiation Research
August 28-1, 2011
Warsaw, Poland14-3-3sigma as a new important regulator of cancer glycolysis
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 76th Symposium of Metabolism and Disease
June 2-3, 2011
Cold Spring Harbor, NYPreclinical studies of novel phosphonium salts with broad-spectrum activity
AACR Annual Meeting 2011
April 2-6, 2011
Orlando, FLModulation of metabolic substrate uptake by the nitrosating agent, S-nitrosocysteine: Impact on bioenergetics of breast cancer cells
Gordon Research Conference on Nitric Oxide
February 13-18, 2011
Ventura, CAUptake, Subcellular Localization, Bioenergetic Effects and Antiproliferative Properties of Triphenylphosphoniumâ€Linked Nitroxides in Breast Cancer Cells
Society for Free Radical Biology's 17th Annual Meeting
November 17-20, 2010
Orlando, FLEnergy Metabolism and Radiosensitivity of Two HNSCC Tumor Cell Lines
56th Annual Meeting of the Radiation Research Society
September 27, 2010
Wailea, HIEnergy Metabolism in Genetically Defined Subtypes of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
Cancer and Metabolism: Pathways to the Future Conference
September 19-21, 2010
Edinburgh, ScotlandBioenergetic Differences in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
AACR Metabolism & Cancer Conference
September 13-16, 2009
La Jolla, CACells Addicted to BCL-XL Accumulate Succinate via Pyruvate Carboxylase Metabolism and Glutaminolysis
AACR Metabolism & Cancer Conference
September 13-16, 2009
La Jolla, CAKSR1, a RAS-RAF-MEK Signal Cascade Protein Necessary for H-Ras-Induced Oncogenic Transformation, is Also Required for Uptake/Consumption of Glucose, Glutamine and Fatty Acid in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts
American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting
April 9, 2009
Denver, COReal-Time Metabolic Analysis of Glioblastoma Cells Treated with 2-Deoxyglucose Reveals a Metabolic Switch to Aerobic Energy Metabolism Mediated By HIF-1a
American Association for Cancer Research 2006 Annual Meeting
April 1, 2006
Washington, DCA Novel Assay for Profiling Metabolic Changes Mediated By HIF-1a in Cancer Cells
Tumor Metabolism Summit
September 19, 2005
Genoa, ItalyA Non-Destructive, Time-Resolved, Multi-Analyte Technology for Sensing Metabolic Changes in Cancer Cells
American Association for Cancer Research 2005
April 19, 2005
anaheim, CA
Webinars

XF Glycolysis Stress Test Assesses Glycolysis and Glycolytic Capacity in Cells
Min Wu, PhD, Seahorse Bioscience
August 30, 2011
Multidimensional control of mitochondrial energy production: learning from physiology and pathology
Rodrigue Rossignol, PhD, Université de Bordeaux
April 27, 2011
Metabolic Reprogramming Therapy in the Treatment of Cancer
Nicholas Denko, MD, PhD, Stanford University, School of Medicine
October 27, 2010
Mitochondria Regulate Cancer
Navdeep S. Chandel, PhD, Northwestern Medical School
September 22, 2010
Analysis of Glutaminolysis and Fumarate Respiration in Bcl-xL-expressing Cells
David M. Hockenbery, MD, Internal Medicine at the University of Washington
April 14, 2010
Molecular Scaffolds KSR1/2: Implications for Obesity and Cancer
Robert Lewis, PhD, University of Nebraska Cancer Center
March 24, 2010
Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Human Disease: How mitochondria repair their genome and how to measure mtDNA repair using quantitative PCR
Ben Van Houten, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
May 21, 2009
Tutorial 2: Measuring Bioenergetics in Primary Cell Types
David Ferrick, PhD, CSO, Seahorse Bioscience
August 27, 2008
The XF Analyzer enables the measurement of cancer metabolism in real time, in a microplate. In minutes, the XF Analyzer measures oxygen consumption rate (OCR)—a measure of mitochondrial respiration —as well as extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), a measure of glycolysis. With just a small number of cells, scientists can measure the effects of up to four compounds on cellular metabolism, determining the basal oxygen consumption and glycolysis rates; respiratory capacity; mitochondrial dysfunction; fatty acid oxidation, uncoupling; ATP turnover; glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism and cell signaling in primary, adherent, tumor and suspension cells or islets, and isolated mitochondria. Studies utilizing the XF are revealing the metabolic dependencies of cancer cells on glucose and potential therapies. Scientists can determine whether a cancer is addicted to glucose or glutamine, and establish which pathway to target for intervention.
Imagine if Otto Warburg had an XF Extracellular Flux Analyzer...
In 1931, German biochemist Otto Warburg was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in understanding cancer metabolism, revealing that cancer cells burn sugar (glycolysis) differently than normal cells, preferring to burn sugar over energy rich fats even when cellular oxygen conditions favor mitochondrial fat burning. Warburg hypothesized that cancer is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction forcing the cells to use aerobic glycolysis instead of β oxidation (OXPHOS). Today, his observation is known as the "Warburg Effect" and is widely accepted as fundamental to Cancer biology. But the belief that it is a mitochondrial defect remains a debate. Warburg made his discovery with a device of his own design referred to as the "Warburg Apparatus"—a manometer that measures mitochondrial oxygen consumption of cells.
Much easier to use than the Warburg Apparatus, the Seahorse XF Extracellular Flux Analyzer is playing a key role in the current resurgence in research into cancer cell metabolism, the Warburg Effect and drugs that affect it.
- Aging
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular
- Cell Physiology
- Immunology
- Mitochondrial Diseases
- Model Organisms
- Neurodegeneration
- Obesity, Diabetes, & Metabolic Disorders
- Screening
- Stem Cell Biology
- Toxicology & Hepatobiology
- Translational Medicine
Webinar On-Demand
Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity Is a Critical Regulator of CD8+ T Cell Memory Development

Erika Pearce, PhD,
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
February 14, 2012
Upcoming Conferences
& Symposia
The Biophysical Society 56th Annual Meeting
February 25th to February 29th, 2012
San Diego, CA
43rd Annual American Society for Neurochemistry Meeting (ASN)
March 3rd to March 7th, 2012
Baltimore, MD
Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting & ToxExpo 2012
March 11th to March 15th, 2012
San Francisco, CA
Take Action
- Grant Expeditor Package
- Request More Information
-
Contact us directly:
Email Sales Email Support Email Microplates Email Marketing
+1-978-671-1600
1-800-671-0633