Abstract
The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), traditionally recognized for its role in generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), has emerged as a critical metabolic hub with involvements in various gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The PPP plays crucial roles in the initiation, development, and tumor microenvironment (TME) of GI cancers by modulating redox homeostasis and providing precursors for nucleotide biosynthesis. Targeting PPP enzymes and their regulatory axis has been a potential strategy in anti-GI cancer therapies. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of PPP enzymes, elucidate the relationships between the PPP and TME's elements, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the PPP in GI cancers.