While much oncological research has focused on metabolic shifts in glucose and amino acid
oxidation, recent evidence suggests that fatty acid oxidation (FAO) may also play an
important role in the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. Here, we present a simple
method for measuring FAO rates using radiolabeled palmitate, common laboratory reagents,
and standard supplies. This protocol is broadly applicable for measuring FAO rates in
cultured cancer cells as well as in both malignant and nontransformed animal tissues.