Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Aiwen Yan
    • Zhirong Jia
    • Chen Qiao
    • Meisa Wang
    • Xuansheng Ding
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  • Published online on: September 22, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2020.5124
  • Pages: 1103-1115
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Abstract

Cancer represents a severe challenge to healthcare systems and individuals worldwide. The development of multiple drug resistance is a major issue regarding cancer therapy, which can result in the progression of disease. Cholesterol is a major constituent of cell membranes and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. Numerous studies have provided correlative support for a role of cholesterol in cancer development and drug resistance. In the present review, recent insights into the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, the association between cholesterol and the efficacy of antitumor agents in preclinical studies, as well as the possible mechanisms through which cholesterol influences drug resistance, are summarized. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of cholesterol to the development of cancer, as well as strategies targeting cholesterol for therapeutic intervention are detailed. Collectively, studies on various types of cancer have suggested that increased cholesterol levels promote resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer through a variety of mechanisms, and that the depletion of cholesterol using statins significantly enhances the sensitivity of the therapeutic agents. However, additional studies are required to enhance the current understanding of the involvement of cholesterol in the development of drug‑resistant cancer.
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November-2020
Volume 57 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Yan A, Jia Z, Qiao C, Wang M and Ding X: Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 57: 1103-1115, 2020
APA
Yan, A., Jia, Z., Qiao, C., Wang, M., & Ding, X. (2020). Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 57, 1103-1115. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2020.5124
MLA
Yan, A., Jia, Z., Qiao, C., Wang, M., Ding, X."Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 57.5 (2020): 1103-1115.
Chicago
Yan, A., Jia, Z., Qiao, C., Wang, M., Ding, X."Cholesterol metabolism in drug‑resistant cancer (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 57, no. 5 (2020): 1103-1115. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2020.5124