Cancer-associated lipids

Cancer-associated lipids encompass a broad spectrum of lipid species—including fatty acids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol—that are dysregulated to support the metabolic demands of malignant cells. Unlike normal cells, which primarily acquire lipids from the circulation, many cancer cells activate de novo lipogenesis to provide building blocks for membrane biogenesis and signaling molecules that drive proliferation and survival (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2020). These lipids are not merely structural components; they function as bioactive signaling molecules, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which promote cell migration and resistance to apoptosis (Cell Metabolism, 2016). Furthermore, alterations in cholesterol and phospholipid composition affect membrane fluidity and the assembly of lipid rafts, which are essential for the clustering of oncogenic receptors (Journal of Lipid Research, 2019). Therapeutic strategies targeting these lipids include small molecule inhibitors of lipogenic enzymes and modulators of sphingolipid pathways, aiming to starve the tumor of essential building blocks or induce lipotoxicity (PubMed, 2021). However, the ubiquitous nature of lipid metabolism in normal physiology poses significant challenges for therapeutic window optimization and the management of systemic side effects (Trends in Cancer, 2018).

Other names

Tumor lipidsOncometabolic lipidsBioactive lipids in cancerDysregulated cancer lipids

Inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis, modulation of sphingolipid metabolism, and disruption of lipid-mediated signaling.