Table 2 Putative oncometabolites defined by metabolomics.

Sarcosine

One-carbon metabolism

Associated with prostate cancer progression

Elevates SAM; promotes CpG island methylation in prostate cells

Limited diagnostic utility; potential as an epigenetic modifier

^57,58,60

Glycine

Serine–glycine one-carbon pathway

Supports purine biosynthesis, DNA methylation and tumor growth; GLDC drives metabolic reprogramming

Provides one-carbon units for SAM synthesis; links metabolism to epigenetic regulation

Targeting GLDC may inhibit tumor initiation; promising in non-small-cell lung cancer

⁶

Hypotaurine

Cysteine metabolism

Elevated in GBM; promotes tumor grade progression; inhibits HIF-1α hydroxylation

Unexplored but may influence hypoxia-induced epigenetic changes

ADO inhibition reduces tumor growth

^4,13,62

Kynurenine

Tryptophan metabolism

Enhances NAD⁺ synthesis, promotes AHR signaling, supports energy metabolism and DNA repair

Affects histone deacetylation via NAD⁺-dependent sirtuins; potential chromatin-remodeling effects

Targeting tryptophan metabolism and kynurenine pathways may modulate tumor metabolism

^2,63,64

MGO

Glycolysis byproduct

Drives protein glycation; promotes cell cycle progression and YAP activation in breast cancer

Modifies histones, disrupting chromatin structure and DNA repair

Glyoxalase 1 inhibition; potential for targeting AGE-related pathways

^{9,65,67,68,69}