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Cholesterol modulation in drug delivery systems and tumor therapy: Strategies and perspectives

Shuzhen Kang1, Yang Li1, Yuan Gao1

  • 1Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Journal of Controlled Release : Official Journal of the Controlled Release Society
|October 15, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cholesterol impacts tumor growth and drug delivery systems (DDS). Modulating cholesterol in tumors and DDS can enhance cancer treatment efficacy and drug delivery performance.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Cholesterol is vital for cell membranes and biological processes.
  • Tumor development involves altered cholesterol metabolism.
  • Cholesterol influences drug delivery system (DDS) performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how modulating cholesterol improves DDS efficacy.
  • To outline strategies for interfering with tumor cholesterol metabolism.
  • To enhance understanding of cholesterol's role in DDS and cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on cholesterol modulation in DDS.
  • Analysis of physicochemical characteristics and drug release.
  • Summary of in vivo processes and tumor cholesterol interference strategies.

Main Results:

  • Cholesterol modulation can improve DDS drug encapsulation and release.
  • Altering cholesterol levels impacts tumor growth, proliferation, and metastasis.
  • Optimizing cholesterol in DDS enhances delivery efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Cholesterol plays a critical role in both DDS performance and tumor progression.
  • Strategies targeting cholesterol metabolism offer potential for improved cancer therapy.
  • This review provides a basis for future cholesterol-based therapeutic approaches.
Keywords:
CholesterolDrug delivery systemMetabolismRegulatory strategiesTumor

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