From biosynthesis to function: the roles of ether lipids in cancer development and treatment

Cancer remains one of the most formidable diseases affecting human health, particularly because it involves complex reprogramming of metabolic pathways, especially pathways involved in lipid metabolism. Ether lipids (ELs), which alter membrane fluidity and signaling pathways that promote tumor initiation and development, have emerged as important regulators of cancer biology, positioning them as emerging candidate targets for diagnosis and treatment. The main focus of this review is the metabolic dysregulation of ELs in tumors, particularly the metabolic, genetic, and epigenetic processes that promote invasion, proliferation, and drug resistance. This review highlights preclinical treatment strategies designed to target EL synthases, aiming to provide novel perspectives for future translational applications that support more sustainable therapeutic options. In addition to future prospects centered on standardized detection and multiomics integration to improve precision oncology, important hurdles, including tissue specificity and metabolic heterogeneity, are covered.