Absolute dynamic and relative static: the relationship of glycolysis and OXPHOS in cancer development.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of tumor metabolism mechanisms without original human data
PubMed 41786689 · doi:10.1038/s41420-026-02992-5
What was done
This narrative review examined the utilization and dynamic regulation of energy supply pathways—specifically aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)—in cancer cells across static and dynamic contexts.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings or statistical measures. It describes that most cancer cells maintain functional mitochondria capable of OXPHOS alongside glycolysis, demonstrating metabolic heterogeneity (coexistence of glycolytic and OXPHOS-reliant cells), metabolic symbiosis, and metabolic plasticity (dynamic shifting between energy pathways driven by microenvironmental cues, biological behaviors, and drug therapies).
Why it matters
It emphasizes that tumor energy metabolism is dynamic and heterogeneous rather than purely glycolytic, informing conceptual approaches to cancer therapy targeting metabolic pathways.
Limits
As a narrative review, the paper provides qualitative, theoretical discussion without presenting new empirical data, quantitative measurements, or a systematic search methodology.
Cited by
- contradicts All major cancers utilize fermentation driven by mitochondrial dysfunction to sustain uncontrolled tumor growth.