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Targeting Sphingolipids in Breast Cancer: From Tumor Biology to Therapeutic Strategies

Min Hee Kim1, Boyoon Huh1, Joo-Won Park1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, Republic of Korea.

Oncology Research
|January 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sphingolipid metabolism critically influences breast cancer progression and treatment response. Understanding the balance between ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate offers new therapeutic targets for this prevalent cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality in women, characterized by molecular heterogeneity.
  • Sphingolipids are key regulators of cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.
  • Metabolic interconversions of sphingolipids, such as phosphorylation and glycosylation, are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of sphingolipid metabolism in breast cancer progression.
  • To elucidate mechanisms by which sphingolipids influence cancer cell fate.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets within sphingolipid pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of sphingolipid metabolism in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of the balance between proapoptotic and pro-survival sphingolipids.
  • Discussion of sphingolipid-based therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Sphingolipid metabolism significantly impacts tumor growth and therapeutic response.
  • The balance between ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate is critical for cancer cell fate.
  • Specific sphingolipid species like glucosylceramide and gangliosides promote breast cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • Sphingolipid metabolism offers promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
  • Targeting sphingolipid pathways may overcome treatment resistance.
  • Further research into sphingolipid-based therapies can improve clinical outcomes.
Keywords:
breast cancerdrug resistancemetabolismmetastasissphingolipid

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