Malignant cell membrane phospholipid

Malignant cell membrane phospholipids are not a single molecular entity but a group of lipid molecules that make up the lipid bilayer of cancer cell plasma membranes. Cancer cells exhibit abnormal phospholipid composition: increased externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), higher cholesterol, and altered fatty acid saturation, leading to increased membrane rigidity, drug resistance, and altered cell signaling. Some of these changes—such as external PS or PE—are absent from normal cell outer leaflets but are prevalent on the surface of tumor cells, making them potential therapeutic targets, drug delivery anchors, and biomarkers for cancer progression and treatment monitoring. However, their definition is broad, and targeting them lacks the specificity of protein-based drug targets[1][2][4][5].

Other names

Cancer cell membrane phospholipidsTumor-associated phospholipidsCancer cell surface phospholipids

Direct membrane disruption (by binding exposed PE or PS on tumor cell surfaces); Promotion of apoptosis or necrosis via lipid clustering, activation of death receptors, or pore formation; Modulation of membrane signaling pathways affecting cell survival, death, and immune response