Role of Lipids and Lipid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer Progression and the Tumor’s Immune Environment

Abstract

Modulation of lipid metabolism during cancer development and progression is one of the hallmarks of cancer in solid tumors; its importance in prostate cancer (PCa) has been demonstrated in numerous studies. Lipid metabolism is known to interact with androgen receptor signaling, an established driver of PCa progression and castration resistance. Similarly, immune cell infiltration into prostate tissue has been linked with the development and progression of PCa as well as with disturbances in lipid metabolism. Immuno-oncological drugs inhibit immune checkpoints to activate immune cells’ abilities to recognize and destroy cancer cells. These drugs have proved to be successful in treating some solid tumors, but in PCa their efficacy has been poor, with only a small minority of patients demonstrating a treatment response. In this review, we first describe the importance of lipid metabolism in PCa. Second, we collate current information on how modulation of lipid metabolism of cancer cells and the surrounding immune cells may impact the tumor’s immune responses which, in part, may explain the unimpressive results of immune-oncological treatments in PCa.

Research of Prostate Cancer Urinary Diagnostic Biomarkers by Proteomics: The Noteworthy Influence of Inflammation

“…SAP3 is also implicated in lipids transport. It is well established that lipid metabolism has a key role in PCa progression due to its interactions with androgens and its close involvement in the interactivity between immune and tumor cells [ 38 ]. The carcinomic prostate tissue becomes dependent on the use of lipids to survive and proliferate; this could explain the higher expression of SAP3 revealed in PCa vs. BPH.…”

Emerging Hallmarks of Metabolic Reprogramming in Prostate Cancer

“…As well as fatty acids’ de novo synthesis, they are also derived from adipose tissue lipolysis or breakdown of triglycerides contained in circulating chylomicrons and lipoproteins. An increased lipogenesis and cholesterogenesis have been described in PCa cells ( Figure 1 ) [ 65 ].…”

Lipid Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsies: Novel Opportunities for Cancer Diagnosis

“…Although, as in all cancers, early diagnosis is important for the efficacy of treatment, current peripheral biomarkers available, such as PSA, are largely unsatisfactory [ 34 ]. Due to the many abnormalities in lipid metabolism in PCa [ 60 ], it is not surprising that in recent years, the lipidome of easily accessible body fluids, such as plasma, has been investigated. In 2012, Zhou et al analyzed 141 PCa patients’ plasma samples and 105 healthy controls, reporting that patients had increased concentrations of all lipid classes except PAs, with the top 15 lipid species discriminating patients and controls containing phosphocholine (LPCs, PCs, SMs) [ 61 ].…”