Bioactive
lipid molecules have been proposed to play important roles linking
obesity/
metabolic syndrome and
cancers. Studies reveal that aberrant
lipid metabolic signaling can reprogram
cancer cells and non-
cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to
cancer initiation, progression,
metastasis, recurrence, and poor therapeutic response. Existing evidence indicates that controlling lipid metabolism can be a potential strategy for
cancer prevention and
therapy. By reviewing the current literature on the lipid metabolism in various
cancers, we summarized major
lipid molecules including
fatty acids and
cholesterol as well as lipid droplets and discussed their critical roles in
cancer cells and non-
cancer in terms of either promoting- or anti-
tumorigenesis. This review provides an overview of the
lipid molecules in cellular entities and their tumor microenvironment, adding to the existing knowledge with
lipid metabolic reprogramming in immune cells and
cancer associated cells. Comprehensive understanding of the regulatory role of lipid metabolism in cellular entities and their tumor microenvironment will provide a new direction for further studies, in a shift away from conventional
cancer research. Exploring the
lipid-related signaling targets that drive or block
cancer development may lead to development of novel anti-
cancer strategies distinct from traditional approaches for
cancer prevention and treatment.