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Updated: Sep 10, 2025

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Published on: January 31, 2025
Lipid Metabolism Reprogramming in Cancer: Insights into Tumor Cells and Immune Cells Within the Tumor
Rundong Liu1, Chendong Wang2, Zhen Tao1
1Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Cancer cells reprogram lipid metabolism for growth, impacting tumor development and immune responses within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding these lipid pathways offers new avenues for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Cancer cells exhibit altered lipid metabolism for rapid proliferation, distinct from normal cells.
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming is crucial for tumor growth, immune evasion, and metastasis within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review lipid metabolism reprogramming in cancer and immune cells within the TME.
- To explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of lipid metabolism-related molecules.
- To summarize lipid metabolism-based anti-tumor strategies for precision medicine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on lipid metabolism in cancer and immune cells.
- Analysis of shared lipid metabolic enzymes, transporters, oncogenes, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).
- Examination of lipid metabolism's influence on various immune cell types (T cells, DCs, B cells, TAMs, TANs, NKs).
Main Results:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming supports cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
- Altered lipid metabolism in immune cells contributes to immune suppression within the TME.
- Specific lipid metabolism-related molecules show potential for tumor diagnosis and prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming is a key hallmark of cancer, affecting both tumor cells and the immune microenvironment.
- Targeting lipid metabolism pathways presents a promising strategy for novel anti-cancer therapies and precision medicine.
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