One of the key factors in tumorigenesis is altered metabolism. Metabolic reprogramming precedes tumor development, whereas metabolic abnormalities precede clinical evidence of tumor. Many factors influence cancer cell metabolism, including tumor hypoxia, matrix composition, immune cell infiltration, and genetic alterations.
Tumor is now regarded as a metabolic disease. Abnormalities and changes in metabolic pathways can reflect tumor status in real time and with high sensitivity. As a result, the use of metabolomics will open up new avenues for early tumor detection.