The role of lipids and fatty acid metabolism in the development of prostate cancer

Abstract

The reprogramming of lipid metabolism and signaling pathways is the central aspect of cancer biology. It is hypothesized that tumor cells can alter the lipid spectrum in order to fulfill their metabolic requirements. Furthermore, they can alter potential tumors and suppressive mechanisms in which lipids' involvement is essential. Recently, more attentions have been given on the alteration of lipid metabolism during prostate cancer development, and investigations have shown unique regulation of "de novo" lipid synthesis in cancer cells. Cancer cells often use newer pathways and enzymes to simplify the synthesis of fatty acids, and the newly synthesized lipids affect cellular processes, which impacts cancer cell proliferation and survival outcomes. Herein, we aimed to study the influence of lipid profile alterations on the development of prostate cancer. We found that the total amounts of lipids and phospholipids were increased within tissues from men with the malignant prostate tumor as compared with the benign prostate tissue. Significant changes were also observed in the composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids within the malignant tumor tissues. Intensification of lipid peroxidation has also been observed in malignant prostate tumors compared to benign prostate tumors. Collectively, these findings further highlights the fact that lipid and fatty acids play unique regulatory roles in the cellular development of prostate malignant transformation.