The regulatory role and mechanism of energy metabolism and immune response in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer, which includes cancers of the mouth, larynx, and pharynx, is one of the six most common cancers worldwide. Common risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, and viruses such as HPV and EBV. Tumor cells often exhibit distinct metabolic characteristics compared with normal cells, highlighting a key area for potential intervention. By targeting these metabolic pathways, it is possible to influence tumor initiation and progression. Therefore, this review primarily describes the alterations in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the immune system in head and neck cancer patients and discusses potential treatment strategies to advance the understanding of head and neck cancer and the development of therapeutic drugs for it.