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Yu JH, Lu PP, Han XP, Li X, Li Y, Hou L, Mi SC. Metabolic commonalities in colorectal and gastric cancer: Taurine metabolism as a key regulatory node and its translational implications. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(12): 123319 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.123319]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Dec 15, 2026; 18(12): 123319 Published online Dec 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.123319
Metabolic commonalities in colorectal and gastric cancer: Taurine metabolism as a key regulatory node and its translational implications
Jia-Hui Yu, Pei-Pei Lu, Xin-Pu Han, Xiao Li, Ya Li, Li Hou, Sui-Cai Mi
Jia-Hui Yu, Pei-Pei Lu, Xin-Pu Han, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
Xiao Li, Li Hou, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
Ya Li, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing 100142, China
Sui-Cai Mi, Xiamen Hospital of Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen 361006, Fujian Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Li Hou and Sui-Cai Mi.
Author contributions: Yu JH conceived the manuscript framework, drafted the full content, revised it critically, and is accountable for all aspects of the work; Han XP and Lu PP screened and sorted literature, supported manuscript content with organized materials, and revised the manuscript; Li X and Li Y guided the manuscript framework and content revision, optimized academic rigor, and provided valuable opinions; Hou L and Mi SC reviewed and verified the entire manuscript content, put forward revision suggestions, revised the manuscript, and they contributed equally to this manuscript as co-corresponding authors. All authors contributed substantially to this work, read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: The authors use the Pen Fish writer to polish and correct the corresponding text. The authors take full responsibility and accountability for all content of this manuscript, including any portions for which AI tools were used as assistive technologies. All AI-assisted outputs were carefully reviewed, validated, and approved by the authors. AI tools were not used to generate original scientific data, perform independent scientific analyses, or draw scientific conclusions.
Supported by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, No. 2024-JYB-JBZD-012; and Capital Health Development Research Project, No. 2024-2-4194.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Li Hou, Chief Physician, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 5 Haiyuncang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100700, China. hl17320015709@126.com
Received: July 7, 2026 Revised: August 4, 2026 Accepted: September 8, 2026 Published online: December 15, 2026 Processing time: 129 Days and 2.7 Hours
Abstract
As the two most frequently occurring digestive system cancers, colorectal cancer and gastric cancer share many commonalities in terms of their epidemiology, metabolic reprogramming and microenvironmental regulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that dysregulated taurine metabolism is an important hub in the metabolic network of both cancers, contributing to tumor progression via several mechanisms, including modulation of energy metabolism, remodeling of the immune microenvironment, interaction with gut microbiota, and maintenance of oxidative stress balance. The aberrant features of taurine metabolism and the molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer and gastric cancer were systematically discussed, the central role of taurine metabolism in tumor metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion and inflammation-cancer transformation was discussed in detail, and the clinical translational prospects of targeting taurine metabolism as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target were outlined, which provides new theoretical foundations and strategic insights for the precise prevention and treatment of both cancers.
Core Tip: Focused on taurine metabolism as a shared core metabolic node in colorectal cancer and gastric cancer. The key innovation of this study lies in addressing the current research gap - most existing studies have focused on the metabolic mechanisms of a single cancer type, while our research aims to explore the common metabolic characteristics of colorectal and gastric cancer, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical strategy of “treating different diseases with the same method”.
