Targeting Lipid Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer: Therapeutic Potential of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) and Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) Inhibitors

Pancreatic cancer, long considered one of the most lethal malignancies, has been the focus of extensive research to develop effective treatments. Recent studies have revealed that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. This paper explores the intricate lipid metabolic pathways within pancreatic cancer cells, with a particular focus on key enzymes such as ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). These enzymes are integral to lipid synthesis and energy production, processes that are hijacked by pancreatic cancer cells to sustain their aggressive behavior. The findings suggest that targeting key enzymes involved in this metabolic pathway could significantly improve patient outcomes. Given pancreatic cancer cells' remarkable capacity for drug resistance and immune evasion, understanding and targeting these lipid metabolism pathways becomes particularly important for developing more effective therapeutic strategies against this aggressive disease.