Metabolic Reprogramming in Urological Tumors: New Perspectives from Tumor Metabolic Phenotypes to Therapeutic Targets
Zhuohang Li, Lin Yang, Weijia Li, Wenxue Huang, Chenying Ma, Boyuan Sun, Xi Yang, Hongjun Xu, Zhouxiao Li, J. Zhao, Bisheng Cheng, Peng Wu
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to sustain growth, evade immune surveillance, and resist therapy. Urological tumors, including prostate, bladder, and renal cancers, exhibit distinct metabolic phenotypes driven by their unique tumor microenvironments and oncogenic pathways. This review explores the emerging landscape of tumor metabolism in urological cancers, highlighting key metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and redox balance. We discuss how these pathways are intricately linked to tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion. Furthermore, we examine novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities, including metabolic enzyme inhibitors, synthetic lethality approaches, and metabolic modulation to enhance immunotherapy. By integrating advances in multi-omics technologies and preclinical models, we propose a framework for translating metabolic research into clinical applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of metabolic reprogramming in urological tumors and to identify potential metabolic targets for innovative therapies.