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Published on: January 31, 2025
Dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism in cancer progression
Xuesong Liu1,2,3, Mengzhu Lv1,2, Weimin Zhang4,5,6
1Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China.
Abstract:
Cholesterol homeostasis has been implicated in the regulation of cellular and body metabolism. Hence, deregulated cholesterol homeostasis leads to the development of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. Recent studies have unveiled the connection between abnormal cholesterol metabolism and cancer development. Cholesterol homeostasis at the cellular level dynamically circulates between synthesis, influx, efflux, and esterification. Any dysregulation of this dynamic process disrupts cholesterol homeostasis and its derivatives, which potentially contributes to tumor progression. There is also evidence that cancer-related signals, which promote malignant progression, also regulate cholesterol metabolism. Here, we described the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and cancer hallmarks, with particular focus on the molecular mechanisms, and the anticancer drugs that target cholesterol metabolism.
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