Glycolytic reprogramming in cancer: tumour cell metabolism, immune modulation, and therapeutic opportunities
- 1Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030 P.R. China
- 2Department of Oncology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037 P.R. China
- 3Chongqing Key Laboratory of Immunotherapy, Chongqing, 400037 P. R. China
Abstract
Background: Aberrant metabolism is a hallmark of tumours. Cancer cells develop metabolic patterns distinct from those of normal cells, characterized by the conversion of glucose into lactate under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. The intermediates and end products generated in this process modulate the function and survival of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment (TME).
Methods: In this review, we summarize recent advances in the interplay between glycolysis and the immune microenvironment, potential therapeutic targets within the glycolytic pathway, and the clinical translation of glycolysis-related molecules.
Main body: Through in-depth research into the glycolytic process, it has been found that the aberrant glycolytic metabolism of tumor cells not only supports their own proliferation but also reshapes the tumor microenvironment. This, in turn, forces immune cells to alter their metabolic profiles, ultimately resulting in an imbalanced anti-tumor immune response. To date, multiple small-molecule inhibitors targeting key molecules and nodes in the glycolytic pathway have been developed, some of which demonstrate promising anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical models.
Conclusion: The review emphasizes the significance of glycolysis in shaping the immune response within the TME and underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting glycolytic pathways, with several inhibitors showing promise for future clinical translation.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026glycolytic,
title = {{Glycolytic reprogramming in cancer: tumour cell metabolism, immune modulation, and therapeutic opportunities}},
author = {Lei Wang and Fangfang Liu and Yuxuan Wei and Qingzhu Jia and Bo Zhu and Qian Chu},
journal = {Journal of Translational Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1186/s12967-026-08418-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-026-08418-1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Glycolytic reprogramming in cancer: tumour cell metabolism, immune modulation, and therapeutic opportunities
AU - Lei Wang
AU - Fangfang Liu
AU - Yuxuan Wei
AU - Qingzhu Jia
AU - Bo Zhu
AU - Qian Chu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/19
JO - Journal of Translational Medicine
DO - 10.1186/s12967-026-08418-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-026-08418-1
AB - Background: Aberrant metabolism is a hallmark of tumours. Cancer cells develop metabolic patterns distinct from those of normal cells, characterized by the conversion of glucose into lactate under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. The intermediates and end products generated in this process modulate the function and survival of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment (TME). Methods: In this review, we summarize recent advances in the interplay between glycolysis and the immune microenvironment, potential therapeutic targets within the glycolytic pathway, and the clinical translation of glycolysis-related molecules. Main body: Through in-depth research into the glycolytic process, it has been found that the aberrant glycolytic metabolism of tumor cells not only supports their own proliferation but also reshapes the tumor microenvironment. This, in turn, forces immune cells to alter their metabolic profiles, ultimately resulting in an imbalanced anti-tumor immune response. To date, multiple small-molecule inhibitors targeting key molecules and nodes in the glycolytic pathway have been developed, some of which demonstrate promising anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical models. Conclusion: The review emphasizes the significance of glycolysis in shaping the immune response within the TME and underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting glycolytic pathways, with several inhibitors showing promise for future clinical translation.
SN - 1479-5876
ER -