Energy stress and adaptation strategy of tumor cells in different microenvironments: from primary tumors to distant metastases

• Tumor cells face distinct energy stresses at each stage of progression, from primary tumors to metastasis, including nutrient scarcity, hypoxia, and shear stress. • Metabolic reprogramming, such as the Warburg effect and reliance on alternative nutrients, enables tumor cells to adapt to fluctuating microenvironments. • The tumor microenvironment, including stromal and immune cells, actively modulates tumor metabolism and presents therapeutic opportunities. • Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in different metastatic niches could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for advanced cancer.