Lipid metabolic reprogramming in ovarian cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Lipids play diverse roles in cellular homeostasis, and dysregulation of lipid metabolism is implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer. Ovarian cancer cells exhibit profound metabolic alterations that support autonomous proliferation under conditions of hypoxia and nutrient limitation. Although tumor angiogenesis occurs, insufficient and fragile neovasculature often limits nutrient supply, necessitating metabolic adaptation. Among these adaptations, lipid metabolic reprogramming has emerged as a critical feature that supports tumor growth, survival, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. Alterations in fatty acid synthesis, β-oxidation, lipid uptake, and inflammatory lipid metabolism collectively contribute to the malignant phenotype. This review summarizes current knowledge of lipid metabolic regulation in ovarian cancer, with particular emphasis on key enzymes and their regulatory mechanism and discusses potential implications for therapeutic targeting from a molecular and morphological perspective.