Glucose Metabolism and Its Direct Action in Cancer and Immune Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges for Metabolic Targeting

Authors

Bo-Syong Pan
Che-Chia Hsu
Hsin-En Wu
Yuan-Ru Chen
Xiaobo Zhou
Shu-Chi Wang
Chia-Yang Li
Hui-Kuan Lin

Language

English

Publication Date

7-29-2025

Journal

Journal of Biomedical Science

DOI

10.1186/s12929-025-01167-1

PMID

40734168

PMCID

PMC12306072

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-29-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Glucose metabolism is a pivotal hub for cellular energy production and the generation of building blocks that support cell growth, survival, and differentiation. Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to sustain rapid proliferation, survive in harsh microenvironments, and resist therapies. Beyond producing energy and building blocks to meet cancer cell demands, glucose metabolism generates numerous metabolites that serve as signaling molecules, orchestrating signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications that regulate cancer cell phenotypes and immunity. In this review, we discuss how glucose, through its metabolism and direct actions, influences diverse biological processes driving cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, while also exploring metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer for therapeutic strategies.

Keywords

Humans, Neoplasms, Glucose, Energy Metabolism, Animals

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Pan, Bo-Syong; Hsu, Che-Chia; Wu, Hsin-En; et al., "Glucose Metabolism and Its Direct Action in Cancer and Immune Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges for Metabolic Targeting" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 815.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthshis_docs/815