Energy Metabolism and Cancer Pain: A Pathway to Innovative Treatment Strategies

Cancer is a widespread disease that often causes severe pain, significantly reducing patients’ quality of life and increasing the overall burden of the illness. Managing cancer pain effectively remains a major clinical challenge. Metabolism is a fundamental biological process that involves both the breaking down of substances to produce energy (catabolism) and the building of complex molecules (anabolism). Cancer cells exhibit altered energy metabolism, including glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, glutaminolysis, and lipid metabolism. Emerging research suggests that these metabolic changes can amplify cancer pain through specific signalling pathways, such as AMPK and PI3K/AKT. Targeting these metabolic pathways offers a promising approach for pain relief. This review explores the link between cancer pain and energy metabolism, highlighting potential new therapeutic strategies aimed at metabolic targets.