Therapeutic potential of microRNAs in the regulation of cancer energy metabolism

Reprogramming of energy metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancers caused by genomic instability and contributes to their adaptation within the tumor microenvironment and resistance to anticancer therapy (1). The tricarboxylic acid cycle, aerobic glycolysis, de novo fatty acid synthesis, and altered autophagy allow tumor cells to survive under adverse conditions (2). Epithelial cells primarily store energy as glycogen, a high-density glucose polymer, which provides the organism with an immediate source of glucose to support cellular energy requirements.