Molecular landscape of glucose metabolism in glioblastoma and the normal human brain: A narrative review

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive tumors known to occur in the brain. Metabolism is one of the driving factors enabling the successful proliferation of tumor cells, thus increasing the tumor mass. Tumor metabolism is now recognized as a major hallmark of oncogenesis. Since the brain largely relies on its glucose supply for growth, glucose metabolism significantly contributes to oncogenesis in brain cancers. Here, we review the major metabolic pathways seen in normal brain physiology in addition to the Warburg effect, aberrant tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation observed in GBM. We highlight the important differences in glucose metabolism between the normal and cancerous environments. In addition, we provide insights into lactate shuttling, the pentose phosphate pathway, and immune interactions with glucose metabolism, which drive the nutritional pathways in both the normal and cancerous environment.