Research advances in amino acid metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer liver metastasis
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by high global incidence and substantial disease burden, with a marked propensity for distant metastasis, most commonly to the liver. Metabolic reprogramming (MRP) is a fundamental hallmark of malignant tumor progression. During this process, amino acid metabolism in tumor cells, particularly at metastatic sites, undergoes substantial reprogramming. This adaptation allows cells to acquire energy and biosynthetic precursors while maintaining redox balance, thereby enabling their survival in harsh microenvironments and promoting metastasis formation. This phenomenon is commonly observed in patients with CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). In-depth analysis of amino acid metabolic alterations in primary tumors, metastatic lesions, and the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) in patients with CRLM offers significant potential for identifying early diagnostic biomarkers, developing treatment strategies, and uncovering novel therapeutic targets. This review summarizes recent advances in amino acid MRP in CRLM, highlighting that tumor progression is predominantly driven by the regulation of key metabolic enzymes and amino acid transporters. In addition, emerging diagnostic biomarkers and several novel therapeutic targets and metabolic inhibitors are discussed, providing new insights for precision diagnosis and targeted treatment of CRLM.
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BibTeX
@article{ercong2026research,
title = {{Research advances in amino acid metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer liver metastasis}},
author = {WANG Ercong and YAN Junqian and JIA Xiahe and WANG Yitong and CHEN Tao and JIANG Lei and WANG Jun},
journal = {Zhongguo aizheng zazhi},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
url = {http://www.china-oncology.com/zh/article/doi/10.19401/j.cnki.1007-3639.2026.09.009/},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research advances in amino acid metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer liver metastasis
AU - WANG Ercong
AU - YAN Junqian
AU - JIA Xiahe
AU - WANG Yitong
AU - CHEN Tao
AU - JIANG Lei
AU - WANG Jun
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Zhongguo aizheng zazhi
UR - http://www.china-oncology.com/zh/article/doi/10.19401/j.cnki.1007-3639.2026.09.009/
AB - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by high global incidence and substantial disease burden, with a marked propensity for distant metastasis, most commonly to the liver. Metabolic reprogramming (MRP) is a fundamental hallmark of malignant tumor progression. During this process, amino acid metabolism in tumor cells, particularly at metastatic sites, undergoes substantial reprogramming. This adaptation allows cells to acquire energy and biosynthetic precursors while maintaining redox balance, thereby enabling their survival in harsh microenvironments and promoting metastasis formation. This phenomenon is commonly observed in patients with CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). In-depth analysis of amino acid metabolic alterations in primary tumors, metastatic lesions, and the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) in patients with CRLM offers significant potential for identifying early diagnostic biomarkers, developing treatment strategies, and uncovering novel therapeutic targets. This review summarizes recent advances in amino acid MRP in CRLM, highlighting that tumor progression is predominantly driven by the regulation of key metabolic enzymes and amino acid transporters. In addition, emerging diagnostic biomarkers and several novel therapeutic targets and metabolic inhibitors are discussed, providing new insights for precision diagnosis and targeted treatment of CRLM.
SN - 1007-3639
ER -