New insights into cancer metabolism and tumor microenvironment reveal intricate cellular interactions influencing disease progression. Breast cancer cells have been observed to appropriate mitochondria from neurons, fueling metastatic colonization, a first demonstration of neuronal mitochondrial transfer in cancer. Research on hepatocellular carcinoma identifies cancer metabolism archetypes orchestrating protumor TREM2+ macrophage induction via oxidized LDL-mediated pathways. Additionally, investigations into colorectal cancer underscore the pivotal role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition driving metastasis. The collective discoveries suggest novel targets for disrupting cancer metabolism and immune evasion strategies.