Targeting Metabolism in Cancer Therapy: Inhibitors and Approaches

Cancer cells show different abnormal metabolic pathways that promote their development and viability. A novel therapeutic strategy has emerged for the treatment of cancer by inhibiting major metabolic pathways, such as the glycolysis pathway, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), fatty acid synthesis, glutaminase inhibitors, and metabolism associated with mitochondrial pathways. Metabolic reprogramming supports the formation of tumors and metabolic liabilities, which are used to treat various cancers. Metabolic research on cancer metabolism was based on Otto Warburg's research work, which is related to aerobic glycolysis. In combination with chemotherapies, the reprogramming of cancer metabolism has been efficacious in treating neoplastic cells. The success of the novel treatment demonstrates an emerging therapeutic approach towards cancer and its management, some of which are being examined in preclinical models. A number of metabolic molecules have been used to target the progression of preclinical observation, which are associated with nucleic acid synthesis and other major biochemical processes. With the advancement of multi-omics, single-cell, and other spatial technologies, we can easily track metabolism more accurately.