Metabolic adaptation and therapeutic resistance in breast cancer: challenges and future directions

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025, 05, v.60 773-777     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82473059)

Authors:Wu Zhengsheng

Keywords:breast cancer;invasion and metastasis;metabolic reprogramming;therapeutic resistance;metabolic targets;precision therapy

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.05.001

〔Abstract〕 Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, and its recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance remain significant challenges in systemic treatment. Metabolic alterations are a hallmark of cancer, with breast cancer cells reprogramming glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism to adapt their nutrient acquisition pathways. This metabolic reprogramming enables cancer cells to meet the energy demands for rapid proliferation and adaption to the microenvironment of metastatic sites, which is closely associated with resistance to chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. This review summarizes the features of metabolic remodeling in breast cancer, the mechanisms by which metabolic adaptation contributes to treatment resistance, and emerging individualized strategies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities. Particular focus is placed on energy metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and glutamine utilization in relation to tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. A better understanding of metabolic adaptation and accurate monitoring of metabolic dynamics may offer new insights into metabolic therapies and improve clinical outcomes.