The essential role of glucose metabolism in chemoresistance of colorectal cancer - a mini review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in terms of incidence, but second in terms of mortality among all types of cancer globally. Despite emerging advances in cancer remedies, chemotherapy remains the major standard treatment for CRC patients. However, poor prognosis is still a great concern and chemoresistance is detected in 90% of patients with metastatic CRC. Recently, the reprogramming of multiple metabolisms in cancer cells has emerged as an essential effector in tumor growth and drivers of chemoresistance. Understanding the significant mechanisms of chemoresistance would help to find effective solutions to overcome drug resistance and improve the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, thereby prolonging the survival of cancer patients. This review discusses the mechanisms of glucose metabolism reprogramming in the context of CRC chemoresistance and the perspectives of targeting glucose metabolism for the improvement of CRC therapy.