Metabolomics in precision medicine: Application and prospect in cancer research

Metabolomics is the most recent and final discipline among the post-genomic, multiomics fields. It encompasses key technologies in systems biology, providing an overview of low-molecular-weight metabolites while examining disturbances to offer pathophysiological explanations. The two key analytical tools in metabolomics are nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, which includes gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Metabolomic research relies on a three-stage data generation process: the first stage involves precise analytical chemistry to produce data; the second stage employs multivariate statistical analysis; and the last stage uses big data as a reference for comparison to establish biochemical, metabolic, and pathophysiological correlations, thereby providing possible interpretations. The initiative of precision medicine starts with cancer as the first disease target. This review discusses and illustrates the application of metabolomics in precision medicine, choosing two types of cancer as example. Warburg effect and metabolic reprogramming are particularly discussed. By providing global, top-down, and less biased information, metabolomics enables precision medicine.