# Advances in glycolysis research in gastric cancer: molecular mechanisms, regulatory networks, and therapeutic potential

**Authors:** Jungang Dong, Weiyan Li, Liang Ma, Jinrong Yang, Decheng Gan, Haixia Xue, Li Pu, Lili Zhang, Kelan Zhang, Yonglong Jia, Qingyu Ma

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1678681 · Frontiers in Oncology · 2025-10-27

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent discoveries about how glycolysis influences gastric cancer growth and treatment resistance, highlighting new regulatory factors and potential therapies.

## Contribution

The paper introduces new insights into glycolysis regulators like CENPU, CD73, and exosome-mediated metabolic changes in gastric cancer.

## Key findings

- Glycolysis regulators like CENPU, CD73, and MAOA are linked to gastric cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
- Non-coding RNAs and tumor-associated macrophages play roles in metabolic reprogramming of gastric cancer cells.
- Glycolysis-related genes show prognostic value and potential as targets for anti-glycolytic therapies.

## Abstract

Glycolysis is a central metabolic pathway in cancer cells, contributing significantly to the initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance of gastric cancer. Advances in molecular biology and metabolomics have clarified the regulatory landscape of glycolysis, particularly its interactions with the tumor microenvironment and key signaling pathways. However, important gaps remain in understanding the precise functions and interactions of key regulatory factors. This review presents an overview of recent progress in glycolysis research in gastric cancer, focusing on essential regulators such as CENPU, CD73, SALL4, and MAOA, non-coding RNAs (e.g., circRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs), and exosome-mediated metabolic reprogramming driven by tumor-associated macrophages. It also discusses the prognostic value of glycolysis-related genes and their potential as therapeutic targets, including the application of natural compounds and small-molecule inhibitors in anti-glycolytic strategies. These findings provide valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying gastric cancer and highlight the potential for developing metabolism-targeted therapies.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** CENPU (centromere protein U) [NCBI Gene 79682], NT5E (5'-nucleotidase ecto) [NCBI Gene 4907], SALL4 (spalt like transcription factor 4) [NCBI Gene 57167], MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) [NCBI Gene 4128]
- **Diseases:** gastric cancer (MONDO:0001056)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** NT5E (5'-nucleotidase ecto) [NCBI Gene 4907] {aka CALJA, CD73, E5NT, NT, NT5, NTE}, SALL4 (spalt like transcription factor 4) [NCBI Gene 57167] {aka DRRS, HSAL4, IVIC, ZNF797}, MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) [NCBI Gene 4128] {aka BRNRS, MAO-A}, CENPU (centromere protein U) [NCBI Gene 79682] {aka CENP50, CENPU50, KLIP1, MLF1IP, PBIP1}
- **Diseases:** cancer (MESH:D009369), gastric cancer (MESH:D013274)

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

98 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12597720/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12597720