The article discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting cancer metabolism as a strategy to combat cancer. It highlights the genetic events that activate signaling pathways altering cell metabolism, which have been linked to cancer outcomes. The Warburg effect, where cancer cells代谢葡萄糖产生乳酸，无论是否有氧气存在，都表现出增加的糖酵解和乳酸产生，是这一现象的一个典型例子。18F-脱氧葡萄糖正电子发射断层扫描（FDG-PET）是一种临床使用的成像技术，用于可视化葡萄糖摄取增加的组织，包括肿瘤。 Cancer cells exhibit different metabolic requirements compared to normal cells, often relying on aerobic glycolysis to support their high rates of proliferation. This altered metabolism makes metabolic pathways attractive therapeutic targets, but finding a therapeutic window between cancer and normal cell metabolism remains a challenge. The tumor microenvironment also influences metabolic heterogeneity, with abnormal vasculature leading to gradients of nutrients, oxygen, and pH, affecting metabolic pathways. Targeting metabolic enzymes has shown promise in cancer therapy, with some drugs targeting metabolic pathways already in clinical use. For example, antifolate drugs like methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil have been effective in treating various cancers by disrupting nucleotide synthesis. L-asparaginase, which deaminates asparagine to aspartic acid, has been successful in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by limiting the availability of asparagine for cancer cells. The article also discusses the challenges and potential of targeting metabolic enzymes as drug targets. While some metabolic enzymes are amenable to small molecule targeting, the therapeutic window must be carefully considered to avoid unacceptable effects on normal cells. The development of new molecules directed against metabolic enzymes is expected to enter clinical trials in the coming years, offering new opportunities for cancer therapy. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding how metabolic pathways are regulated in cancer cells to develop more effective and selective therapies.The article discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting cancer metabolism as a strategy to combat cancer. It highlights the genetic events that activate signaling pathways altering cell metabolism, which have been linked to cancer outcomes. The Warburg effect, where cancer cells代谢葡萄糖产生乳酸，无论是否有氧气存在，都表现出增加的糖酵解和乳酸产生，是这一现象的一个典型例子。18F-脱氧葡萄糖正电子发射断层扫描（FDG-PET）是一种临床使用的成像技术，用于可视化葡萄糖摄取增加的组织，包括肿瘤。 Cancer cells exhibit different metabolic requirements compared to normal cells, often relying on aerobic glycolysis to support their high rates of proliferation. This altered metabolism makes metabolic pathways attractive therapeutic targets, but finding a therapeutic window between cancer and normal cell metabolism remains a challenge. The tumor microenvironment also influences metabolic heterogeneity, with abnormal vasculature leading to gradients of nutrients, oxygen, and pH, affecting metabolic pathways. Targeting metabolic enzymes has shown promise in cancer therapy, with some drugs targeting metabolic pathways already in clinical use. For example, antifolate drugs like methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil have been effective in treating various cancers by disrupting nucleotide synthesis. L-asparaginase, which deaminates asparagine to aspartic acid, has been successful in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by limiting the availability of asparagine for cancer cells. The article also discusses the challenges and potential of targeting metabolic enzymes as drug targets. While some metabolic enzymes are amenable to small molecule targeting, the therapeutic window must be carefully considered to avoid unacceptable effects on normal cells. The development of new molecules directed against metabolic enzymes is expected to enter clinical trials in the coming years, offering new opportunities for cancer therapy. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding how metabolic pathways are regulated in cancer cells to develop more effective and selective therapies.