Metabolic reprogramming is now regarded as a hallmark of cancer. This phenomenon was first observed at the level of cellular energetics, in the form of very high rates of lactic acid fermentation, not only in anoxia, but also in the presence of oxygen levels that do not compromise respiration. This intriguing tumor phenotype, characterized by a very low energy yield, was unveiled, in the early 1920s, by Otto Warburg, one of the greatest biochemists of all time. This manuscript outlines aspects of Warburg's personal and research life that, in retrospect, might be viewed as a preparation for his successful approach to the cancer problem. It also discusses the experiments that led to the discovery and briefly presents Warburg's theory for the origin of tumors. Finally, it concludes with considerations regarding the novel avenues that this monumental and still intriguing discovery opened in terms of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

如今，代谢重编程被视为癌症的标志。首先在细胞能量水平上以非常高的乳酸发酵形式观察到这种现象，不仅在缺氧状态下，而且在不损害呼吸的氧气水平下也是如此。这种有趣的肿瘤表型具有极低的能量产生率，是有史以来最伟大的生物化学家之一奥托·沃伯格（Otto Warburg）在1920年代初发现的。这份手稿概述了Warburg的个人生活和研究生活，回想起来，这可以看作是他成功解决癌症问题的准备。它还讨论了导致发现的实验，并简要介绍了Warburg关于肿瘤起源的理论。最后，