Recent Advances in the Glycolytic Processes Linked to Tumor Metastasis

The main cause of cancer-related fatalities is cancer metastasis to other body parts, and increased glycolysis is crucial for cancer cells to maintain their elevated levels of growth and energy requirements, ultimately facilitating the invasion and spread of tumors. The Warburg effect plays a significant role in the advancement of cancer, and focusing on the suppression of aerobic glycolysis could offer a promising strategy for anti-cancer treatment. Various glycolysis processes are associated with tumor metastasis, primarily involving non-coding RNA (ncRNAs), signaling pathways, transcription factors, and more. Various categories of noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), have shown promise in influencing glucose metabolism associated with the spread of tumors. Additionally, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) predominantly act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by sequestering microRNAs, thereby modulating the expression of target genes and exerting significant influence on the metabolic processes of cancerous cells. Furthermore, the process of tumor metastasis through glycolysis also encompasses various signaling pathways (such as PI3K/AKT, HIF, Wnt/β- Catenin, and ERK, among others) and transcription factors. This article delineates the primary mechanisms through which non-coding RNAs, signaling pathways, and transcription factors contribute to glycolysis in tumor metastasis. It also investigates the potential use of these factors as prognostic markers and targets for cancer treatment. The manuscript also explores the innovative applications of specific traditional Chinese medicine and clinical Western medications in inhibiting tumor spread through glycolysis mechanisms, offering potential as new candidates for anti-cancer drugs.