Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that hCINAP positively regulates LDHA activity, thus enhancing aerobic glycolysis and CRC progression via tripartite mechanisms (Fig. 7j): (1) LDHA promotes biosynthesis to support CRC cell proliferation; (2) LDHA generates adequate extracellular lactate to provide a favourable microenvironment for CRCSC growth and invasion; and (3) hCINAP promotes CRCSCs to be more glycolytic and less OXPHOS-dependent to astrict cellular ROS overproduction and maintain survival. The gene discussed is AK6; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.