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Emerging role of Fatty acid synthase in tumor initiation: implications for cancer prevention

Maria J Bueno1, Miguel Quintela-Fandino1,2,3

  • 1Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit, CNIO-Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain.

Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|March 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is crucial for cancer initiation and 3D growth. Inhibiting FASN before cancer starts can prevent tumor development and invasive growth, highlighting its potential for cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Metabolic Reprogramming

Background:

  • Metabolic reprogramming is a key hallmark of cancer.
  • Targeting cancer metabolism offers therapeutic potential.
  • Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is implicated in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of fatty acid synthase (FASN) in cancer initiation.
  • To determine if FASN inhibition can prevent tumor development and invasive growth.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized *in vivo* models to study FASN function during cancer initiation.
  • Administered FASN inhibitors prior to oncogenic activation.

Main Results:

  • Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is essential for cancer cells to acquire three-dimensional (3D) growth properties.
  • Inhibition of FASN before oncogenic activation completely prevented tumor development.
  • FASN inhibition also prevented invasive tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • Fatty acid synthase (FASN) plays a critical role in cancer initiation and the acquisition of aggressive growth phenotypes.
  • Targeting FASN represents a promising strategy for cancer prevention.
Keywords:
FASNanchorage-independent growthcancer metabolismcancer prevention

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