Fatty acid-rich hepatic tumor tissue

Fatty acid-rich hepatic tumor tissue describes a distinct metabolic and pathological phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), frequently associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (Salomao et al., 2012). This tissue state is characterized by significant lipid accumulation within the tumor microenvironment, driven by the upregulation of de novo lipogenesis and increased exogenous fatty acid uptake (Gao et al., 2019). These metabolic alterations provide the necessary building blocks for rapid cell membrane synthesis and energy production via fatty acid oxidation, supporting aggressive tumor growth and survival (Nath et al., 2015). Furthermore, the lipid-rich environment contributes to an immunosuppressive milieu by modulating the function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T cells (Ringel et al., 2020). While not a single molecular target, this environment is defined by the overexpression of key enzymes and transporters, including fatty acid synthase (FASN) and CD36, which are currently being explored as therapeutic vulnerabilities (Sagimet Biosciences, 2023). Targeting the metabolic reliance of these tumors on fatty acids represents a promising strategy to overcome resistance to conventional therapies and improve outcomes for patients with obesity-related liver cancer.

Other names

Steatotic hepatocellular carcinomaLipid-rich liver tumorFatty acid-rich tumor microenvironmentS-HCCNAFLD-associated HCC

Inhibition of de novo lipogenesis, disruption of fatty acid synthesis pathways, and modulation of the lipid-rich tumor microenvironment.