Taurine and cancer: Biological properties and multifaceted roles in cancer progression.

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and poses a major threat to global health. Recent insights into the tumor microenvironment (TME) have highlighted the pivotal role of amino acid metabolism-one of the three core metabolic pathways-in driving tumor proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid abundantly present in various tissues, does not participate in protein synthesis but exhibits multiple biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. These properties are increasingly recognized as relevant in both physiological regulation and pathological conditions such as cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that taurine modulates tumor growth and progression through diverse mechanisms, including regulation of immune responses, redox homeostasis, cellular metabolism, and the TME. This review summarizes the multifaceted roles of taurine in tumorigenesis and its potential applications in cancer therapy, providing new perspectives for targeted intervention.