Glycolysis-associated lncRNAs in cancer energy metabolism and immune microenvironment - a magic key

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Tumor cells rely on glycolysis to supply both energy and essential building blocks for growth and survival. This review highlights long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key regulators within cancer glycolytic signaling, linking lncRNA control of energy metabolism enzymes, lactate production and transport, and interactions with transcription factors, miRNAs, and other molecules. It further discusses how lncRNA-targeted pathway modulation may suppress tumor growth, metastasis, immune escape, and drug resistance, while supporting marker-based and personalized therapeutic and prognostic strategies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Cancer metabolic reprogramming and the Warburg effect

lncRNAs in glycolysis and tumor therapy potential

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) functions and mechanisms

TYPE Review PUBLISHED 13 September 2024 DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1456636 OPEN ACCESS EDITED BY Leonard Maggi, Washington University in St. Louis, United States REVIEWED BY Gopinath Prakasam, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, United States Dehai Yu, First Afﬁliated Hospital of Jilin University, China *CORRESPONDENCE Linjiang Song [songlinjiang@cdutcm.edu.cn](songlinjiang@cdutcm.edu.cn)[ ](songlinjiang@cdutcm.edu.cn)Anqi Zeng [zeng6002aq@163.com](zeng6002aq@163.com) RECEIVED 28 June 2024 ACCEPTED 27 August 2024 PUBLISHED 13 September 2024 CITATION Zhang X, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Zeng A and Song L (2024) Glycolysis-associated lncRNAs in cancer energy metabolism and immune microenvironment: a magic key. Front. Immunol. 15:1456636 . doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1456636 COPYRIGHT © 2024 Zhang, Zhang, Liu, Zeng and Song. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Glycolysis-associated lncRNAsin cancer energy metabolism and immune microenvironment: a magic key Xi Zhang 1, Yunchao Zhang 1, Qiong Liu 1, Anqi Zeng 2* and Linjiang Song 1* 1School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 2Translational Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Sichuan Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China The dependence of tumor cells on glycolysis provides essential energy and raw materials for their survival and growth. Recent research ﬁndings have indicated that long chain non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have a key regulatory function in the tumor glycolytic pathway and offer new opportunities for cancer therapy. LncRNAs are analogous to a regulatory key during glycolysis. In this paper, wereview the mechanisms of LncRNA in the tumor glycolytic pathway and their potential therapeutic strategies, including current alterations in cancer-related energy metabolism with lncRNA mediating the expression of key enzymes, lactate production and transport, and the mechanism of interaction with transcription factors, miRNAs, and other molecules. Studies targeting LncRNAregulated tumor glycolytic pathways also offer the possibility of developing new therapeutic strategies. By regulating LncRNA expression, the metabolic pathways of tumor cells can be interfered with to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, thus affecting the immune and drug resistance mechanisms of tumor cells. In addition, lncRNAs have the capacity to function as molecular markers and target therapies, thereby contributing novel strategies and approaches to the ﬁeld of personalized cancer therapy and prognosis evaluation. In conclusion, LncRNA, as key molecules regulating the tumor glycolysis pathway, reveals a new mechanism of abnormal metabolism in cancer cells. Future research will more thoroughly investigate the speciﬁc mechanisms of LncRNA glycolysis regulation and develop corresponding therapeutic strategies, thereby fostering new optimism for the realization of precision medicine. KEYWORDS cancer, glycolysis, immune, lncRNA, metabolism Frontiers in Immunology 01 [frontiersin.org](frontiersin.org) Introduction Cancer is the most prevalent form of malignant tumor, resulting from genetic mutations that induce uncontrolled cell growth and division (1–3) . Metabolic reprogramming is the distinctive biochemical signature shown by cancer cells, one of the “cancer hallmarks” (4, 5), which allows cancer cells to adapt to the microenvironment through plasticity and high ﬂexibility in nutrie

FAQs

What role do glycolysis-associated lncRNAs play in cancer energy metabolism?

They regulate key steps in the tumor glycolytic pathway, including control of enzymes involved in energy metabolism and effects on lactate production and transport.

How do lncRNAs influence the immune microenvironment in cancer?

By modulating glycolysis-related metabolic programs, lncRNAs can alter mechanisms tied to immune activity and immune resistance, thereby shaping the tumor microenvironment.

Why are lncRNAs considered promising for therapy and prognosis?

lncRNAs can act as molecular markers and can be targeted to develop new therapeutic strategies, while also supporting personalized evaluation of cancer prognosis.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles