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Advances in Lipid Metabolism Reprogramming in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Weiqi Duan1, Qian Jian1, Bo Sun1,2,3
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Altered lipid metabolism fuels hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and spread. Targeting these metabolic changes in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment offers new therapeutic strategies for liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic pathways
- Cancer biology
Background:
- Lipid metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Lipids act as signaling molecules influencing tumor epigenetics and the tumor microenvironment.
- Understanding these metabolic shifts is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key lipid metabolism alterations in HCC.
- To explore the mechanisms by which these alterations drive tumor progression.
- To examine the role of lipid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment and discuss therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on lipid metabolism in HCC.
- Analysis of mechanistic contributions to tumor progression.
- Examination of lipid metabolic shifts in immune and stromal cells.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in lipid metabolism are observed in HCC.
- These alterations contribute to malignant proliferation and invasiveness.
- Lipid metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment promotes HCC advancement.
Conclusions:
- Targeting lipid metabolism presents a promising therapeutic avenue for HCC.
- Further research into these pathways could lead to novel liver cancer treatments.
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