TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of cholesterol metabolism and cholesterol transport in carcinogenesis
T2 - A review of scientific findings, relevant to future cancer therapeutics
AU - Cruz, Pedro M.R.
AU - Mo, Huanbiao
AU - McConathy, Walter J.
AU - Sabnis, Nirupama
AU - Lacko, Andras G.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - While the unique metabolic activities of malignant tissues as potential targets for cancer therapeutics has been the subject of several recent reviews, the role of cholesterol metabolism in this context is yet to be fully explored. Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes as well as a precursor of bile acids and steroid hormones. The hypothesis that cancer cells need excess cholesterol and intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway to maintain a high level of proliferation is well accepted, however the mechanisms by which malignant cells and tissues reprogram cholesterol synthesis, uptake and efflux are yet to be fully elucidated as potential therapeutic targets. High and low density plasma lipoproteins are the likely major suppliers of cholesterol to cancer cells and tumors, potentially via receptor mediated mechanisms. This review is primarily focused on the role(s) of lipoproteins in carcinogenesis, and their future roles as drug delivery vehicles for targeted cancer chemotherapy.
AB - While the unique metabolic activities of malignant tissues as potential targets for cancer therapeutics has been the subject of several recent reviews, the role of cholesterol metabolism in this context is yet to be fully explored. Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes as well as a precursor of bile acids and steroid hormones. The hypothesis that cancer cells need excess cholesterol and intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway to maintain a high level of proliferation is well accepted, however the mechanisms by which malignant cells and tissues reprogram cholesterol synthesis, uptake and efflux are yet to be fully elucidated as potential therapeutic targets. High and low density plasma lipoproteins are the likely major suppliers of cholesterol to cancer cells and tumors, potentially via receptor mediated mechanisms. This review is primarily focused on the role(s) of lipoproteins in carcinogenesis, and their future roles as drug delivery vehicles for targeted cancer chemotherapy.
KW - Carcinogenesis
KW - Cholesterol metabolism
KW - Drug delivery system
KW - Lipoprotein transport
KW - SR-B1 receptor
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84885355517&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fphar.2013.00119
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2013.00119
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84885355517
SN - 1663-9812
VL - 4 SEP
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
JF - Frontiers in Pharmacology
M1 - Article 119
ER -