Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Science, Health Campus, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia
  • 2 Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 21030, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Surgery, School of Medical Science, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia
  • 4 Faculty of Medicine, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu 20400, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Pathology, School of Medical Science, Health Campus, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia
Mol Clin Oncol, 2025 Apr;22(4):35.
PMID: 40083862 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2025.2830

Abstract

An overview of metabolomics in cancer research, focusing on the identification of biomarkers, pharmacological targets and therapeutic agents, is provided in the present review. The fundamentals of metabolomics, the role of metabolites in cancer emergence and the methods used in metabolomic analysis, are reviewed. The applications of metabolomics in cancer therapy and diagnostics, as well as the challenges encountered in metabolomic research, are discussed. Finally, the potential clinical uses of metabolomics in cancer research and its future possibilities are explored, emphasising the importance of non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring techniques. The present review highlights the significance of metabolite-based metabolomics as a specialised tool for illuminating disease processes and identifying treatment potentials. The malfunctioning of metabolomic pathways and metabolite accumulation or depletion is caused by metabolomics abnormalities. Metabolite signatures close to a subject's phenotypic informative dimension can be used to monitor therapies and disease prediction diagnosis and prognosis. Non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring techniques with high specificity and selectivity are urgently needed. Metabolite-based metabolomics is a specialised metabolic biomarker and pathway-analysis technique, illuminating the putative processes of numerous human illnesses and determining treatment potentials. Locating biochemical pathway modifications that are early warning signs of pathological malfunction and illness is possible by identifying functional biomarkers linked to phenotypic variance. Scientists generated numerous metabolomics profiles to disclose the underlying processes and metabolomics networks for therapeutic target research in biomedicine. The metabolomic analysis of the potential utility of metabolites as biomarkers for clinical events is summarised in the present review. The significance of metabolite-based metabolomics as a specialised tool for illuminating disease processes and identifying treatment potentials is highlighted.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.