The contribution of hexokinase 2 in glioma

Glioma is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the central nervous system with high recurrence and extremely poor prognosis. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is the key enzyme in Warburg effect that has been proved to promote tumorigenesis and is found highly expressed in several tumors. However, the HK2 function in glioma was reported only in a few studies. In this review, we will summarize the changes in the energy metabolism in glioma and the critical function of HK2 in the process. Further, the recent research progress and perspective of HK2 in the diagnosis and treatment of glioma will be discussed.