Cholesterol metabolism in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

Cholesterol metabolism produces essential membrane components as well as metabolites with a variety of biological functions. In the tumour microenvironment, cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic cues reprogram cholesterol metabolism and consequently promote tumourigenesis. Cholesterol-derived metabolite...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNature metabolism Vol. 2; no. 2; p. 132
Main Authors Huang, Binlu, Song, Bao-Liang, Xu, Chenqi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.02.2020
Subjects
Cellular Reprogramming
Cholesterol - biosynthesis
Cholesterol - metabolism
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Humans
Neoplasms - metabolism
Neoplasms - pathology
Neoplasms - therapy
Tumor Microenvironment
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Summary:Cholesterol metabolism produces essential membrane components as well as metabolites with a variety of biological functions. In the tumour microenvironment, cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic cues reprogram cholesterol metabolism and consequently promote tumourigenesis. Cholesterol-derived metabolites play complex roles in supporting cancer progression and suppressing immune responses. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that manipulating cholesterol metabolism inhibits tumour growth, reshapes the immunological landscape and reinvigorates anti-tumour immunity. Here, we review cholesterol metabolism in cancer cells, its role in cancer progression and the mechanisms through which cholesterol metabolites affect immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic strategies aimed at interfering with cholesterol metabolism, and how the combination of such approaches with existing anti-cancer therapies can have synergistic effects, thus offering new therapeutic opportunities.
ISSN:2522-5812
DOI:10.1038/s42255-020-0174-0