Exploring the significance of fatty acid metabolism reprogramming in the pathogenesis of cancer and anticancer therapy - Review article

Sep 21, 2026

Metabolic reprogramming is a defining marker distinguishing tumor cells from normal cells, and fatty acid metabolism reprogramming supports both energy fuel supply and the rapid biosynthesis demands required for aggressive growth. This review summarizes mechanisms by which tumor cells reprogram fatty acid metabolism, including linked responses such as active ferroptosis signaling, and evaluates how these metabolic changes influence diverse human cancers. It further highlights the therapeutic significance of targeting fatty acid metabolic pathways and using dietary control to improve anticancer treatment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Unique synthesis, uptake, and oxidation of fatty acids in tumor cells

Fatty acid synthesis

AnnAls of Medicine 2025, Vol. 57, no. 1, 2445774 [https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2024.2445774](https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2024.2445774) REVIEW ARTICLE Exploring the significance of fatty acid metabolism reprogramming in the pathogenesis of cancer and anticancer therapy Jiaao Suna* , Jiahua Liua*, Feng Chena* , Xiaoxi Wangb and Guangzhen Wua adepartment of Urology, The first Affiliated Hospital of dalian Medical University, dalian, china; bdepartment of clinical laboratory Medicine, The first Affiliated Hospital of dalian Medical University, dalian, china ABSTRACT One of the important markers that distinguish tumor cells from normal cells is metabolic reprogramming. Among them, the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism not only supports the fuel supply for energy but also meets the needs of rapid biosynthesis, providing selective growth advantages for tumor cells to resist harsh microenvironments. Due to the crucial role of fatty acid metabolic reprogramming in tumor metabolism, its various functions in cancer have attracted more and more attention. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of fatty acid metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and the series of responses (such as active ferroptosis signaling), analyze the potential impacts brought by fatty acid metabolic reprogramming in various human cancers and focus on the significance of targeting fatty acid metabolic pathways and dietary control in cancer treatment. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 12 May 2024 Revised 10 October 2024 Accepted 25 November 2024 KEYWORDS Fatty acid metabolism; cancer; metabolic reprogramming; anticancer therapy; ferroptosis 1. Introduction Fatty acids (FAs) are divided into saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), among which SFA is the main component of phospholipid and cholesterol; MUFAs can lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol; among the PUFAs, arachidonic acid, homo-gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and participate in various subsequent biological processes. In addition, FAs can be further synthesized into complex lipid molecules, including phosphoglycerides (PG), sphingolipids, and triglycerides (TG) . PG is the basic material of life, which can be divided into phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); TG isnot only involved in energy storage, but also in the construction of cell structure; sphingolipid is an important component of biofilm structure [1,2] . Fundamentally, cancer is a disorder of cell growth and metabolism. It requires a significant amount of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, and the energy produced by breaking them down. As a result, tumor cells often exhibit biosynthetic disturbances and bioenergy accumulation disturbances, which enable them to enhance raw materials for excessive proliferation and metastasis. Metabolic reprogramming is a key factor in the occurrence and development of cancer, including the reprogramming of glucose metabolism, FA metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Among them, fatty acid oxidation (FAO) generates approximately twice the amount of energy compared to glucose, which is more advantageous for the occurrence of cancer [2,3] . Aberrantly active lipid biosynthesis and degradation are characteristics of cancer development, with uncontrolled FA metabolism playing a crucial role in the survival of tumor cells. This review summarizes the research progress on the reprogramming of FA metabolism in tumor cells, focusing on the effects of alterations in FAs metabolic pathways in various human cancers. Furthermore, it discusses the potential applications and future directions of targeting FAs metabolic reprogramming in anticancer therapies. CONTACT Guangzhen Wu [wuguang0613@hotmail.com](wuguang0613@hotmail.com) department of Urology, The first Affiliated Hospital of dalian Medical University

FAQs

Why does fatty acid metabolism reprogramming matter in cancer?

It helps tumor cells obtain energy and meet rapid biosynthesis requirements, giving selective growth advantages and supporting survival in harsh microenvironments.

What are the main steps of fatty acid handling in tumor cells described in the review?

The review focuses on three steps: de novo synthesis of fatty acids, exogenous uptake, and oxidation of fatty acids.

How is ferroptosis connected to abnormal fatty acid metabolism?

Ferroptosis is presented as a programmed cell death process that can link abnormal metabolism to cell death, and it is discussed alongside fatty acid metabolic reprogramming.

Sep 21, 2026

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