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Targeting cholesterol metabolism in tumor and its immune microenvironment: opportunities and challenges

Ziyi Wang1, Xinyan Li2, Xiangyu Sun3

  • 1Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|August 16, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cholesterol metabolism reprogramming fuels tumor growth and impacts the tumor immune microenvironment. Targeting cholesterol metabolism offers new strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity and cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Metabolic pathways

Background:

  • Cholesterol metabolism is essential for cellular functions and membrane integrity.
  • Aberrant cholesterol metabolism is a key characteristic of many cancers.
  • Tumor microenvironment cues significantly alter cholesterol metabolism, promoting cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism in tumors.
  • To explore the intricate relationship between cholesterol metabolism and anti-tumor immunity.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting cholesterol metabolism in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical studies and mechanistic investigations.
  • Analysis of current insights into cholesterol metabolism pathways in cancer.
  • Exploration of the interplay between cholesterol metabolism and immune components.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism drives tumorigenesis and tumor development.
  • Metabolic vulnerabilities in cholesterol pathways present therapeutic opportunities.
  • Modulating cholesterol metabolism can reshape the tumor immune landscape.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding cholesterol metabolism's role in tumors and the immune microenvironment is crucial.
  • Targeting cholesterol metabolism may enhance current immunotherapies.
  • Novel clinical strategies can be developed by targeting cholesterol metabolism in cancer.
Keywords:
CholesterolImmunityImmunotherapyMetabolismTumor microenvironment

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