GLUCOSE METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING IN CANCER CELLS: MOLECULAR BASIS, REGULATORY NETWORKS, AND THERAPEUTIC OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming is a defining hallmark of cancer, enabling malignant cells to sustain rapid proliferation, resist apoptosis, and adapt to hostile microenvironments. One of the most prominent metabolic alterations is the preferential utilization of aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect. Despite its lower ATP yield compared to oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis provides essential metabolic intermediates required for anabolic growth and redox homeostasis. This review examines the molecular mechanisms underlying glucose metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, including the roles of oncogenes, tumor suppressors, hypoxia signaling, and key glycolytic enzymes. Furthermore, the clinical implications of altered glucose metabolism are discussed, highlighting its utility in diagnostic imaging and targeted therapeutic strategies. Understanding cancer glucose metabolism provides critical insights into tumor biology and reveals novel avenues for precision oncology.