Targeting Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer: From Multi-Omics Signatures to Functional Pharmacology

Cancer cells undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming to sustain proliferation, survival, invasion, and resistance to therapy. Beyond aerobic glycolysis, tumor progression is supported by alterations in mitochondrial function, redox homeostasis, and nutrient availability. Metabolites such as lactate are not merely consequences of tumor growth, but active regulators of signaling pathways, gene expression, cellular plasticity, and interactions with stromal and immune cells. These adaptations generate selective dependencies that may be exploited pharmacologically. Enzymes involved in energy metabolism and redox-sensitive signaling pathways therefore represent promising targets for inhibiting tumor progression and overcoming therapeutic resistance.This Research Topic aims to advance the pharmacological targeting of metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer by connecting molecular signatures with functional and therapeutic validation. Although transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies have identified numerous alterations associated with tumor metabolism, many remain descriptive and have not been translated into validated drug targets or predictive biomarkers.The collection will bring together studies that identify pharmacologically actionable metabolic pathways and signaling networks and determine their functional relevance using chemical inhibitors, biologic agents, genetic modulation, or drug combinations. Particular attention will be given to investigations integrating multi-omics data with measurements of mitochondrial function, redox balance, nutrient utilization, tumor-cell plasticity, and drug response. Studies using patient-derived primary cultures, organoids, explants, xenografts, or other clinically relevant models are especially encouraged. By linking molecular profiling to functional pharmacology, this Research Topic seeks to support the development of metabolism-directed therapies, rational drug combinations, and biomarkers for patient stratification.We welcome contributions addressing:&#8226 Pharmacological inhibition of glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid or lipid metabolism;&#8226 Modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and redox-sensitive signaling;&#8226 Functional validation of transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, or multi-omics-derived therapeutic targets;&#8226 Pharmacological studies using patient-derived cultures, organoids, explants, or in vivo models;&#8226 Combination of metabolic modulators with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy;&#8226 Biomarkers predicting response or resistance to metabolism-targeted treatments;&#8226 Drug-delivery strategies exploiting hypoxic, oxidative, or metabolically altered tumor microenvironments.We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Brief Research Reports. Descriptive molecular profiling, prognostic studies, or natural-product studies without a defined pharmacological target and mechanistic validation fall outside the scope.Topic Editor Sumit Sharma is co-founder and Formulation Scientist at Nutralytics Edtech LLP, and Director at Frontro Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject. Topic editors: Zafer Gurel, Tatiana de Almeida Simao, Sumit Sharma, Marco Antonio Lacerda-Abreu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84916/targeting-metabolic-reprogramming-in-cancer-from-multi-omics-signatures-to-functional-pharmacology