Abstract:

Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the reproductive system among women in China. Its incidence is gradually becoming younger, posing a serious threat to women′s life and health. Several studies have shown that energy metabolism is reprogramming in cervical cancer cells, which glycolysis is used to provide biological energy even if oxygen is sufficient. This change is closely related to multiple glycolytic enzymes, transporter proteins, regulatory molecules and specific signaling pathways. Alteration of glucose metabolism promotes malignant processes such as growth, proliferation, migration and invasion through different mechanisms in cervical cancer cells, and affects the sensitivity of the patients to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Analysis of the expression of proteins related to this metabolic process can predict the prognosis of cervical cancer, and blocking its expression may have anti-cancer effects. Therefore, glycolytic metabolism-related proteins are expected to be potential targets for cervical cancer treatment. This paper reviews the pathological mechanism that glucose metabolism involves in the development and progression of cervical cancer, so as to explore novel therapeutic strategies for energy metabolism, and also provides basis for improving therapeutic prospect and prolonging the survival of the patients.

Key words: Uterine cervical neoplasms, Warburg effect, oncologic, Glycolysis, Pathologic processes, Therapy