Reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism in breast cancer: a narrative review

Metabolic reprogramming is recognized as hallmarks of tumor. Evidence reveals malignant phenotype of tumor, including proliferation, invasion and migration, requires fatty acid metabolism for membranes biosynthesis, energy storage and signaling molecules. Reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism has been reported in various cancer types, including breast cancer. Dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism plays pivotal roles during the malignant transformation in breast cancer. As widely known, de novo fatty acid synthesis, together with lipid storage, fatty acid uptake and oxidation comprise the fatty acid metabolism. Activated de novo fatty acid synthesis contributing to the progression of breast cancer captures the most attention. Accumulating studies are noting that many genes implicated in other fatty acid metabolism related pathways are highly upregulated during rapid growth of breast cancer. Breast cancer cells acquire exogenous fatty acids from cancer associated adipocytes. Fatty acid oxidation provide energy for breast cancer. Activation in both fatty acid synthesis and oxidation satisfy the demand of massive proliferation and survival in breast cancer. The reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism in breast cancer involves complicated metabolic processes. We elaborate how the fatty acid metabolism is reprogrammed to promote the breast cancer progression in this review. Deep understanding of the reprogramming processes provides us the opportunity to rewire the dysregulated fatty acid metabolism, which might offer new strategies for breast cancer therapy.