Cholesterol is a fat-like molecule that our cells produce and utilize for structure, as well as to generate vitamin D, hormones, and bile acids, all of which are essential for digestion. Our bodies can produce all of the cholesterol they require, but we also consume cholesterol via our food. Cholesterol is packed with proteins and transported through the circulation. Lipoproteins are the names for these packages. LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and HDL (high-density lipoproteins) come in a variety of shapes and sizes (high density lipoprotein). Both are necessary, but having too much LDL in our blood can cause plaque to develop in our arteries, which can lead to blockage and raise our risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol has a critical role in the development of cancer. Hypercholesterolemia and a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet have been linked to the development of cancer in both clinical and experimental investigations. Internal cholesterol can stimulate mTORC1 signalling while external cholesterol can directly activate the oncogenic Hedgehog pathway.
Cholesterol has received much interest lately because of its role in carcinogenesis. Changes in cholesterol metabolism are linked to cancer development, according to clinical and experimental data.
Higher cholesterol levels are linked to a higher cancer incidence, and cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., statins) have been shown to reduce the risk and mortality of cancers like breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; on the other hand, cancers like bladder and lung cancer are not linked to cholesterol levels, . Increased blood cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of malignancies such colon, rectal, prostate, and testicular cancer. According to a meta-analysis, dietary cholesterol consumption raises the risk of breast cancer
According to a meta-analysis, dietary cholesterol consumption raises the risk of breast cancer. The favourable link between hypercholesterolemia and carcinogenesis is further supported by data based on cancer models. A high cholesterol diet was observed to diminish tumor formation latency and promote tumor development and metastasis in the mouse MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model.
Cholesterol and prostate cancer
Cholesterol is essential for the development of functioning animal cell membrane characteristics. It also impacts a variety of signalling pathways and proteins, either directly conjugating to proteins or altering the activity of membrane proximal signalling pathways and proteins (e.g., the cell survival kinase, AKT). Manipulation of circulating cholesterol levels appears to be extremely sensitive to certain signal transduction pathways. Hypercholesterolemia enhances tumor angiogenesis, decreases tumor apoptosis, and promotes tumor cell proliferation in vivo. Recent research has shown another pathway for cholesterol’s tumor-promoting actions, one that is particularly important to prostate cancer. The androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear receptor that drives prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival even under hormone suppression during late-stage illness, responds to circulating androgen through the activity of the androgen receptor (AR). Since castration boosts blood cholesterol levels, the potential of prostate cancer cells to manufacture androgen from cholesterol may actually rise after hormone suppression. Hypercholesterolemia has been discovered to accelerate the development of human prostate cancer xenografts after castration.
Cholesterol and breast cancer
Few studies have particularly examined the significance of Western diet components as key variables in the onset and progression of breast cancer. In a mouse model of mammary tumour development, researchers investigated the function of cholesterol in tumour growth regulation. The findings show that cholesterol promotes and accelerates tumour growth. Tumors were also more aggressive, and tumour angiogenesis was increased.
It was concluded that according to the findings of a study a rise in plasma cholesterol levels speeds up the growth of tumors and makes them more aggressive. The findings of this study show that plasma cholesterol is a key factor in breast cancer risk factors. In addition to medicines that may aid in the removal of breast cancer cells, therapies that target cholesterol metabolism might be utilized. A synergistic effect would undoubtedly aid in the treatment of tumors and might perhaps lessen the toxicity of current treatments.
Increased blood cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of cancers such as colon, rectal, prostate, and testicular cancer. According to a meta-analysis, dietary cholesterol consumption raises the risk of breast cancer.
