Lipids and prostate cancer adenocarcinoma

Abstract Due to their amphiphilic properties, lipids are able to form various biological structures through the development of specific vesicles. Fatty acids and cholesterol thus constitute important molecules for lipid membrane composition. Conversely lipid dysfunction, and more specifically cholesterol homeostasis dysregulation, is involved in a wide range of pathologies. Among these, cancerous lesions have been correlated with cholesterol accumulation. However, links between cholesterol and cancer promotion and progression are still poorly understood and characterized although it is now assumed that sensing and controlling cholesterol levels may be critical for cancer kinetics. This review will focus on lipid abnormalities associated with prostate cancer adenocarcinoma, as well as the mechanisms by which cholesterol may promote cancer progression. Pharmacologically, molecules inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase or activating liver X receptors, the nuclear receptors for oxysterols, could disrupt cholesterol contribution to prostate carcinogenesis.