TY - JOUR
T1 - The Role of Cholesterol in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Development and Pathogenesis
AU - White, Alana M.
AU - Best, Oliver G.
AU - Hotinski, Anya K.
AU - Kuss, Bryone J.
AU - Thurgood, Lauren A.
PY - 2023/7
Y1 - 2023/7
N2 - Cholesterol has many critical functions in cells. It is a key component of membranes and cell-signalling processes, and it functions as a chemical precursor in several biochemical pathways, such as Vitamin D and steroid synthesis. Cholesterol has also been implicated in the development and progression of various cancers, in which it is thought to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an example of a lipid-avid cancer that relies on lipid metabolism, rather than glycolysis, to fuel cell proliferation. However, data regarding the role of cholesterol in CLL are conflicting. Studies have shown that dyslipidaemia is more common among CLL patients than age-matched healthy controls, and that CLL patients who take cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins, appear to have improved survival rates. Therefore, defining the roles of cholesterol in CLL may highlight the importance of monitoring and managing hyperlipidaemia as part of the routine management of patients with CLL. In this review, we discuss the roles of cholesterol in the context of CLL by examining the literature concerning the trafficking, uptake, endogenous synthesis, and intracellular handling of this lipid. Data from clinical trials investigating various classes of cholesterol and lipid-lowering drugs in CLL are also discussed.
AB - Cholesterol has many critical functions in cells. It is a key component of membranes and cell-signalling processes, and it functions as a chemical precursor in several biochemical pathways, such as Vitamin D and steroid synthesis. Cholesterol has also been implicated in the development and progression of various cancers, in which it is thought to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an example of a lipid-avid cancer that relies on lipid metabolism, rather than glycolysis, to fuel cell proliferation. However, data regarding the role of cholesterol in CLL are conflicting. Studies have shown that dyslipidaemia is more common among CLL patients than age-matched healthy controls, and that CLL patients who take cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins, appear to have improved survival rates. Therefore, defining the roles of cholesterol in CLL may highlight the importance of monitoring and managing hyperlipidaemia as part of the routine management of patients with CLL. In this review, we discuss the roles of cholesterol in the context of CLL by examining the literature concerning the trafficking, uptake, endogenous synthesis, and intracellular handling of this lipid. Data from clinical trials investigating various classes of cholesterol and lipid-lowering drugs in CLL are also discussed.
KW - cancer
KW - chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
KW - dyslipidemia
KW - HDL
KW - LDL
KW - statins
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85166330938&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/metabo13070799
DO - 10.3390/metabo13070799
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85166330938
SN - 2218-1989
VL - 13
JO - Metabolites
JF - Metabolites
IS - 7
M1 - 799
ER -