Introduction

Metabolic reprogramming that supports proliferative energetics is an established hallmark of cancer. Yet, it is becoming evident that metabolic reprogramming extends beyond energetics and that metabolites serve as bioactive molecules that exert biophysical properties to promote cancer cell progression and that aid in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, these metabolic alterations are not limited to cancer cells, but also reflect the contributions of other cell types within TME, including microbes. In this context, metabolites should be viewed not merely as fuels or metabolic byproducts, but as functional mediators that influence signaling, epigenetic regulation, organelle homeostasis, immune cell fate, and therapeutic response. Here, we shed light on these metabolic adaptations and how this knowledge translates into novel strategies for cancer treatment.