Poor outcome in primary non-small cell lung cancers is predicted by transketolase TKTL1 expression.

Aim: Malignant tumours ferment glucose to lactate even in the presence of sufficient oxygen (the Warburg effect). Transketolases seem to be involved in this metabolic switch. TKTL1 has previously been shown to encode a transketolase-like enzyme which is overexpressed in colon, urothelial and breast cancer.