Abstract: In recent years, the role of circular RNA in tumor therapy has become a research hotspot. Glycolysis is an important part of tumor metabolism. Many abnormally expressed circular RNAs are closely related to the important enzymes, cytokines and signal pathways in the process of tumor glycolysis. Binding with miRNA could inhibit the function of circular RNA, thus directly or indirectly affect the expression of downstream target proteins, promote or inhibit the process of tumor glycolysis, and also affect the resistance to chemotherapy drugs in cancer patients. This review will make a summary on circular RNA in affecting tumor glycolysis through glucose transporters and metabolic enzymes, related oncogenes and transcription factors, and cancer-related signaling pathways, and the application of circular RNA in tumor therapy and drug resistance.

Key words: cancer, circular RNA, glycolysis, drug resistance