Breast Cancer Progression by the FGF/FGFR Axis: A Metabolic Perspective

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are critical mediators of cellular signaling involved in development, tissue repair, and metabolic homeostasis. Dysregulated FGFR signaling is also a common feature in multiple cancer types, including breast cancer. In breast cancer, aberrant FGFR signaling can occur by amplification, mutation, isoform switching, or gene fusion and has emerged as a driver of tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Beyond its canonical roles in proliferation and survival, recent evidence highlights FGFRs as key regulators of cancer cell metabolism. This review summarizes current findings on how FGFR signaling reprograms metabolic pathways in breast cancer, specifically glycolytic and lipid metabolism. We explore the interplay between FGFR activity and metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and nutrient-sensing pathways, emphasizing subtype-specific metabolic vulnerabilities. Furthermore, we discuss how FGFR-mediated metabolic plasticity contributes to tumor heterogeneity and resistance to targeted therapies. Understanding the metabolic functions of FGFR signaling offers new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and biomarker development in breast cancer.