FBPase, which catalyses the hydrolysis of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate, is a rate-limiting enzyme responsible for gluconeogenesis and glyconeogenesis and, more generally, for the control of energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis. In mammals, two separate genes, FBP1 and FBP2, encode the liver and muscle isoforms of FBPase, respectively.

Lower FBPase expression frequently correlated significantly with an advanced tumour stage, a highly malignant phenotype, and worse prognoses in cancer patients. All these data implied that FBPase might be a novel biomarker and potential target for the treatment of cancer.