Metabolic Hallmarks of Cancer: An Integrative Framework Beyond Mutation‑Centric Models (2026)
Abstract Background: Cancer has historically been defined by genetic alterations driving uncontrolled proliferation. However, metabolic reprogramming is now recognized as a fundamental characteristic of malignant cells that supports survival, proliferation, and interaction with the tumor microenvironment. Recent reviews have conceptualized metabolic alterations as emerging hallmarks of cancer physiology. Objective: We propose a comprehensive set of metabolic hallmarks of cancer , synthesizing recent literature on glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function, metabolite signaling, and metabolic‑immune interactions. Methods: We integrated insights from high‑impact reviews in cancer metabolism (e.g., Cell Metabolism, Molecular Cancer, Frontiers in Oncology) to define ten metabolic hallmarks with mechanistic and clinical relevance. Results: The ten hallmarks include: (1) Aerobic glycolysis; (2) Mitochondrial reprogramming; (3) Lactate accumulation; (4) Metabolic immune suppression; ...