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Published on: February 9, 2019
Targeting lipid metabolism via nanomedicine: A prospective strategy for cancer therapy
Xing Huang1, Shengzhong Hou1, Yinggang Li1
1Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Liver Transplant Center, Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Abstract:
Lipid metabolism has been increasingly recognized to play an influencing role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic drug resistance. Targeting lipid metabolic reprogramming represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Despite their structural complexity and poor targeting efficacy, lipid-metabolizing drugs, either used alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, have been employed in clinical practice. The advent of nanotechnology offers new approaches to enhancing therapeutic effects, includingthe targeted delivery and integration of lipid metabolic reprogramming with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and immunotherapy. The integrated nanoformulation, nanomedicine, could significantly advance the field of lipid metabolism therapy. In this review, we will briefly introduce the concept of cancer lipid metabolism reprogramming, then elaborate the latest advances in engineered nanomedicine for targeting lipid metabolism during cancer treatment, and finally provide our insights into future perspectives of nanomedicine for interference with lipid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment.
Insights
Targeting cancer lipid metabolism reprogramming shows promise. Nanotechnology, or nanomedicine, enhances drug delivery and integrates lipid metabolism interference with various cancer therapies for improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Metabolic pathways
Background:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming is crucial in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.
- Targeting cancer lipid metabolism is a promising therapeutic strategy.
- Current lipid-metabolizing drugs face challenges in efficacy and targeting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept of cancer lipid metabolism reprogramming.
- To elaborate on engineered nanomedicine advances for targeting lipid metabolism in cancer.
- To provide insights into future nanomedicine applications for modulating the tumor microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cancer lipid metabolism.
- Analysis of nanotechnology applications in cancer therapy.
- Discussion of integrated nanoformulations for combined therapies.
Main Results:
- Nanotechnology offers enhanced therapeutic effects through targeted delivery.
- Integrated nanoformulations can combine lipid metabolism reprogramming with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Nanomedicine shows potential to significantly advance lipid metabolism-based cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
- Engineered nanomedicine represents a significant advancement in targeting cancer lipid metabolism.
- Nanomedicine can overcome limitations of conventional lipid-targeting drugs.
- Future nanomedicine strategies hold promise for effective interference with tumor lipid metabolism.
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