Can we reduce cancer progression via disrupting autophagy-cholesterol uptake nexus?

Abstract

Lipid droplets (LDs) accumulation in cancer cells has garnered attention due to their role in tumor progression. Cholesterol supports not only the biosynthesis of new membranes and cancer-associated signaling but also modulate tumor cell energy supply which makes it therapeutically promising to target cholesterol metabolism. We hypothesize that autophagy-modulated inhibition of cholesterol uptake will reduce LDs formation and impair tumor progression via a novel pathway. The proposed approach has promise in disrupting cancer cell progression via impairing autophagy-mediated cholesterol uptake and few other metabolic processes. We emphasize investigating these mechanisms as they could significantly advance cancer therapy via targeting cholesterol metabolism and autophagy.