Work

Glycolytic Signaling Pathways and Anti‐Glycolytic Therapy for Cancer: Research and Perspectives

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The Warburg effect refers to a metabolic reprogramming process characterized by enhanced glycolysis and lactate production, even in the presence of adequate oxygen. This phenomenon is a critical adaptation enabling tumor cells to satisfy their elevated energy and biosynthetic requirements. This review synthesizes key regulators within the glycolytic signaling pathways and examines the dynamic interplay between glycolysis and other metabolic processes, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid metabolism. Special emphasis is placed on how intravital imaging provides real-time insights into these metabolic alterations. Furthermore, this review underscores the central role of glycolysis in the tumor metabolic network and its contribution to resistance mechanisms against chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Finally, it discusses the latest developments in targeted therapies, reviewing the clinical progress of glycolysis inhibitors (e.g., curcumin, docetaxel) and exploring future directions for combining metabolic interventions with immunotherapy and other innovative approaches. These insights promise to offer novel perspectives on tumor metabolic reprogramming and the evolution of precision therapies.

Source: Comprehensive physiology

DOI: 10.1002/cph4.70177