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Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
Published on: January 31, 2025
Lipids as mediators of cancer progression and metastasis
Felix C E Vogel1, Adriano B Chaves-Filho1,2, Almut Schulze3
1Division of Tumor Metabolism and Microenvironment, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Metastasis formation is a complex process, involving multiple crucial steps, which are controlled by different regulatory mechanisms. In this context, the contribution of cancer metabolism to the metastatic cascade is being increasingly recognized. This Review focuses on changes in lipid metabolism that contribute to metastasis formation in solid tumors. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which lipids induce a pro-metastatic phenotype and explore the role of lipids in response to oxidative stress and as signaling molecules. Finally, we reflect on potential avenues to target lipid metabolism to improve the treatment of metastatic cancers.
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