Advances in Glycolysis Modulators in Biomedicine

Cellular metabolism reprogramming is a core hallmark of multiple pathological processes, among which glycolysis serves as a central hub regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, immune function, and tissue repair. Abnormal glycolysis drives tumor malignant proliferation, forms immunosuppressive microenvironments, impairs tissue regeneration, and participates in the progression of various chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Traditional therapeutic strategies lack precise targeting of glycolysis networks, resulting in limited efficacy, off-target effects, and poor clinical translation.In recent years, interdisciplinary integration of biomedicine, immunology, regenerative medicine, and biomedical engineering has accelerated the discovery and development of glycolysis modulators. These modulators—including small-molecule inhibitors, enzyme activators, metabolic intermediate analogs, extracellular vesicle carriers, and nanomaterial delivery systems—can precisely target key nodes of glycolysis (e.g., glucose transporters, rate-limiting enzymes, lactate metabolism, and glycolysis-related signaling pathways). They reshape energy metabolism, regulate immune cell function, promote stem cell activity and tissue repair, and reverse disease-related metabolic disorders, showing great potential in tumor therapy, regenerative medicine, immune regulation, and biomedical engineering applications.This Research Topic aims to gather cutting-edge advances in glycolysis modulators, highlight mechanisms of action, design strategies, and translational applications across oncology, regenerative medicine, immune regulation, and biomedical engineering. We focus on promoting the transformation of basic metabolic research into clinical tools, encouraging the development of safe, efficient, and scalable glycolysis-targeting systems with clinical translation potential. We welcome original research, reviews, and methodological papers addressing key scientific questions in glycolysis regulation and its biomedical applications.This topic welcomes research on but is not limited to the following related themes:• Discovery, design, and mechanism validation of glycolysis modulators for tumor therapy and overcoming therapeutic resistance.• Glycolysis regulation in stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and tissue regeneration; development of metabolism-guided regenerative strategies.• Glycolysis modulation in immune cell activation, differentiation, and function; remodeling of microenvironments to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.• Biomedical engineering strategies for glycolysis modulation, including nanodelivery systems, hydrogels, gene-editing tools, and implantable devices for controlled metabolic regulation.• Multi-omics and computing approaches to identify new glycolysis targets and biomarkers for precision therapy.• Preclinical evaluation, biosafety assessment, and clinical translation prospects of glycolysis-modulating therapeutics. Topic editors: Shoucheng Chen, Zhanpeng Ou, Huirong Lin, Zhengjie Shan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81898/advances-in-glycolysis-modulators-in-biomedicine