Fig. 6

Model Figure. Adult and pediatric gliomas demonstrate key metabolic differences. Pediatric tumors have enriched glucose levels, possibly from increased levels of GLUT4, an insulin-stimulated glucose transporter. Conversely, adult tumors have a hypoxic tumor microenvironment devoid of glucose. Adult tumors instead have increased levels of acyl carnitines, which support ATP production by the electron transport chain through fatty acid oxidation. Our data propose that adult and pediatric gliomas experience unique microenvironments that necessitate separate metabolic drivers to support malignant proliferation