Porphyrin Metabolism in Primary Hepatoma

Abstract

The cancer cell is characterised by a peculiar metabolism, in which certain pathways have an increased activity, whereas others tend to disappear.¹ A definite absence of the usual controls also seems to be a characteristic of malignancy.² Among other metabolic abnormalities is the phenomenon, described by Warburg, of enhanced fermentation, which is not depressed by oxygen. This lack of the Pasteur effect was the basis of Warburg’s theory that anoxia is the cause of cancer.³ Despite all the subsequent studies in different countries, and especially by Weinhouse,⁴ no definite conclusions to this problem could be reached.

This work was supported by a grant from Instituto de Alta Cultura.

Assistant, Department of Physiological Chemistry.

Director, Department of Physiological Chemistry.