# Involvement of Non-Coding RNAs in the Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: From Mechanisms to Therapeutics

## TL;DR

This review explores how non-coding RNAs influence glucose metabolism in oral cancer, offering new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.

## Contribution

The paper systematically summarizes ncRNA roles in glucose metabolic reprogramming in OSCC and identifies clinically relevant targets.

## Key findings

- Non-coding RNAs modulate glycolytic regulators in OSCC progression.
- ncRNAs show potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in OSCC.
- Integrative analysis of patient data reveals insights into metabolic remodeling in OSCC.

## Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. This review focuses on the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in driving OSCC progression through the modulation of glucose metabolic reprogramming. By systematically synthesizing evidence on ncRNA-mediated orchestration of key glycolytic regulators and incorporating OSCC patient-derived data, we identify several clinically relevant ncRNAs with potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These insights enhance our understanding of metabolic remodeling in OSCC and support the development of targeted, translationally relevant interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by frequent recurrence and metastasis, which poses a significant global health problem. One of the prominent hallmarks of cancer is glucose metabolic reprogramming, wherein glycolysis is preferred over oxidative phosphorylation for macromolecule biosynthesis and energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as a class of RNAs that are not translated into proteins, which include microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. Recent studies have found that ncRNAs are crucial in regulating glycolysis in OSCC, wherein they reshape the metabolic landscape by modulating the expression of glucose transporters, essential enzymes, and transcription factors, ultimately influencing tumorigenesis. This comprehensive review systematically summarizes the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs involved in glucose metabolic reprogramming in OSCC, evaluates their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and identifies clinically relevant ncRNAs through an integrative analysis of patient-derived data. These insights provide a mechanistic understanding of the metabolic alterations that drive progression in OSCC, as well as knowledge that can facilitate the development of clinically translatable targeted interventions for this aggressive malignancy.