Insights into Metabolic Reprogramming in Tumor Evolution and Therapy.

Simple Summary: Cancer is a global health problem caused by uncontrolled cell growth and changes in how cells get and use energy. This review compares cancer's hidden metabolic changes to dark matter and dark energy in the universe, which are mysterious and often ignored. It looks at how cancer cells alter their energy use, such as through the Warburg effect and changes in fat and protein production, driven by genetic mutations. These changes help cancer grow and survive. The review suggests that targeting these metabolic pathways could be a new way to treat cancer. It calls for more research to better understand these changes and develop new therapies by focusing on the "dark energy" that fuels cancer cells. Background: Cancer remains a global health challenge, characterized not just by uncontrolled cell proliferation but also by the complex metabolic reprogramming that underlies its development and progression. Objectives: This review delves into the intricate relationship between cancer and its metabolic alterations, drawing an innovative comparison with the cosmological concepts of dark matter and dark energy to highlight the pivotal yet often overlooked role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor evolution. Methods: It scrutinizes the Warburg effect and other metabolic adaptations, such as shifts in lipid synthesis, amino acid turnover, and mitochondrial function, driven by mutations in key regulatory genes. Results: This review emphasizes the significance of targeting these metabolic pathways for therapeutic intervention, outlining the potential to disrupt cancer's energy supply and signaling mechanisms. It calls for an interdisciplinary research approach to fully understand and exploit the intricacies of cancer metabolism, pointing toward metabolic reprogramming as a promising frontier for developing more effective cancer treatments. Conclusion: By equating cancer's metabolic complexity with the enigmatic nature of dark matter and energy, this review underscores the critical need for innovative strategies in oncology, highlighting the importance of unveiling and targeting the "dark energy" within cancer cells to revolutionize future therapy and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]