Preprint / Version 1

Exploring Lipid Reprogramming in Hypoxic Cancer Cells: Targeting Lipid Metabolism for Therapeutic Innovation

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  • Renad Shady Maadi STEM School for Girls

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2393

Keywords:

Hypoxia, Lipid Metabolism, Cancer Cell Adaptation, Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC), Therapeutic Targeting

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of cancer cells results in hypoxia (low oxygen levels). They undergo metabolic reprogramming, including lipid metabolism to survive and grow in response to hypoxia. This study investigates the specific enzymes and processes that occur in response to low oxygen levels, including fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which are upregulated in response to hypoxia. In addition, this study indicates the accumulation of lipid droplets under hypoxia. The role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) under hypoxia is investigated. Gene expression analysis, metabolite profiling, and enzyme activity assays are employed to identify the changes in lipid metabolism that facilitate tumor progression under hypoxia and vivo techniques by using mice as models. The findings provide the development of lipid-targeting therapies that may enhance the current cancer treatment by targeting the upregulated enzymes because they help cancer cells to proliferate and survive in the case of low-oxygen, therefore targeting these enzymes may significantly slow tumor progression, reduce proliferation, and inhibit metastasis.

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2025-03-28