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Emerging Lipid Targets in Glioblastoma
Ammar Darwish1, Milán Pammer1, Ferenc Gallyas1
1Institute of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary.
Abstract:
GBM accounts for most of the fatal brain cancer cases, making it one of the deadliest tumor types. GBM is characterized by severe progression and poor prognosis with a short survival upon conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. In order to improve therapeutic efficiency, considerable efforts have been made to target various features of GBM. One of the targetable features of GBM is the rewired lipid metabolism that contributes to the tumor's aggressive growth and penetration into the surrounding brain tissue. Lipid reprogramming allows GBM to acquire survival, proliferation, and invasion benefits as well as supportive modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Several attempts have been made to find novel therapeutic approaches by exploiting the lipid metabolic reprogramming in GBM. In recent studies, various components of de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, lipid uptake, and prostaglandin synthesis have been considered promising targets in GBM. Emerging data also suggest a significant role hence therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid metabolic pathway in GBM. Here we review the lipid-related GBM characteristics in detail and highlight specific targets with their potential therapeutic use in novel antitumor approaches.
Insights
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain cancer. Targeting its altered lipid metabolism offers new therapeutic strategies to combat aggressive tumor growth and improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metabolism
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain cancer with poor prognosis.
- Conventional treatments offer limited survival benefits for GBM patients.
- GBM exhibits aggressive progression, invasion, and resistance to therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review lipid metabolism alterations in GBM.
- To highlight novel therapeutic targets within GBM lipid pathways.
- To explore the potential of targeting lipid reprogramming for improved GBM treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on GBM lipid metabolism.
- Analysis of key pathways including de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and lipid uptake.
- Examination of the role of prostaglandin synthesis and endocannabinoid pathways.
Main Results:
- GBM extensively reprograms lipid metabolism to support tumor growth, survival, and invasion.
- Altered lipid metabolism influences the tumor microenvironment.
- Specific lipid metabolic pathways and the endocannabinoid system show therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Targeting lipid metabolism represents a promising strategy for novel GBM therapies.
- Exploiting lipid reprogramming could overcome limitations of current treatments.
- Further research into lipid-related targets may lead to improved GBM antitumor approaches.
