Lipid Metabolism and Homeostasis in Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: From Risk Factor to Potential Therapeutic Target
Roberta Modica,
Anna La Salvia,
Alessia Liccardi,
Giuseppe Cannavale,
Roberto Minotta,
Elio Benevento,
Antongiulio Faggiano,
Annamaria Colao
Affiliations
Roberta Modica
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Anna La Salvia
Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
Alessia Liccardi
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Cannavale
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Roberto Minotta
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Elio Benevento
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Antongiulio Faggiano
Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’Andrea Hospital, ENETS Center of Excellence, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
Annamaria Colao
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Lipid metabolism is known to be involved in tumorigenesis and disease progression in many common cancer types, including colon, lung, breast and prostate, through modifications of lipid synthesis, storage and catabolism. Furthermore, lipid alterations may arise as a consequence of cancer treatment and may have a role in treatment resistance. Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with increasing incidence, whose mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression are far from being fully understood. Alterations of lipid metabolism may be common across various cancer types, but data about NENs are scattered and heterogeneous. Herein, we provide an overview of the relevant literature on lipid metabolism and alterations in NENs. The available evidence both in basic and clinical research about lipid metabolism in NENs, including therapeutic effects on lipid homeostasis, are summarized. Additionally, the potential of targeting the lipid profile in NEN therapy is also discussed, and areas for further research are proposed.