Role of glucose metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer progression and drug resistance
Rong Qin, Xirui Fan, Yun Huang, Sijing Chen, Rui Ding, Ying Yao, Rui Wu, Yiyao Duan, Xiang Li, Hameed Khan, Jun Hu, Hui Wang
Abstract
• Glucose metabolism reprogramming is a crucial cancer hallmark in colorectal cancer (CRC). • CRC cells reprogram their metabolic pathways to sustain high proliferation rates and promote tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. • The regulation of the glycolytic pathway in CRC is intricately linked with multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors. • Targeting the reprogrammed glucose metabolism in cancer cells represents a promising therapeutic strategy for CRC. Colorectal cancer (CRC), with the incidence and mortality rising on a yearly basis, greatly threatens people's health. It is considered an important hallmark of tumorigenesis that aberrant glucose metabolism in cancer cells, particularly the Warburg effect. In CRC, the Warburg effect predominantly influences cancer development and progression via its involvement in the glycolytic pathway regarding cell metabolism. The critical mechanisms underlying this process include key glycolytic enzymes, transport proteins, regulatory molecules, and signaling pathways. Furthermore, targeting the reprogrammed glucose metabolism in cancer cells can be potentially used for CRC treatment. However, the mechanisms driving CRC onset and progression, especially in relation to glucose metabolism reprogramming, are not fully understood and represent an emerging field of research. The review aims at providing new insights into the role that glucose metabolism reprogramming plays in the progression of CRC progression together with its resistance to treatment. Ultimately, these insights strive to diminish the risks of CRC metastasis and recurrence.