Role and Molecular Mechanisms of Aerobic Glycolysis in Gastrointestinal Tumors

Gastrointestinal tumors are among the most common tumors worldwide and are currently the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Gastrointestinal tumors affect the digestive system and include esophageal, liver, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Aerobic glycolysis is a widespread phenomenon among gastrointestinal tumor cells, which poses a major hazard to human health and life. Increasing evidence suggests that aerobic glycolysis can induce and promote the development of gastrointestinal tumors by rapidly providing large amounts of energy and altering the tumor microenvironment. Among them, glucose transporter proteins and key enzymes involved in glycolysis are expressed at higher levels during aerobic glycolysis, and the corresponding signaling pathways and transcription regulatory factors are activated, playing an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Additionally, evidence has indicated that aerobic glycolysis plays an essential role in inhibiting the development of immune cells, modifying the population of immune cells present in the surrounding tumor, and promoting the polarization of immune cells. Moreover, drugs and compounds that target essential enzymes and transcription factors associated with glycolysis are known to exhibit anticancer properties.