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The following is a summary of “Lipid Metabolic Reprograming: the Unsung Hero in Breast Cancer Progression and Tumor Microenvironment,” published in the March 2025 issue of Molecular Cancer by Wan et al.

Aberrant lipid metabolism is a fundamental hallmark of cancer, playing a crucial role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer (BC). Given that BC arises within a lipid-rich microenvironment, its cells heavily rely on lipid metabolic reprogramming to sustain rapid proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. In this review, researchers provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationship between lipid metabolism and BC pathophysiology, emphasizing its contributions to tumor development and the tumor microenvironment. They first explore the dysregulated lipid metabolic pathways in BC, detailing their impact on tumor progression, disease aggressiveness, and patient prognosis. 

As lipids serve not only as energy sources but also as key signaling molecules, the study group further examine the dynamic lipid-mediated interactions between BC cells and various components of the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, stromal cells, and endothelial cells. This crosstalk fosters an immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic niche, ultimately influencing treatment resistance and disease outcomes. Furthermore, investigators discuss the emerging therapeutic potential of targeting lipid metabolism in BC, covering key metabolic processes, lipid-related transcription factors, and immunotherapeutic strategies. They highlight promising lipid-targeted interventions, including small-molecule inhibitors, dietary interventions, and combination therapies, while critically evaluating their clinical feasibility and potential challenges. 

Finally, they propose future research directions, focusing on the integration of spatiotemporal multi-omics approaches to unravel novel lipid-based vulnerabilities in BC. A deeper understanding of lipid metabolism in BC will pave the way for the development of more precise, effective, and personalized therapeutic strategies.

Source: molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12943-025-02258-1