Fatty Acid Metabolism as a Tumor Marker

Cancer cells tend to make metabolism changes in the human body for their growth and survival. One of the most interesting changes is the alteration of fatty acid metabolism in order for the high rate of fatty acid synthesis required to increase the level of fatty acids needed for cancer cell proliferation. Thus, the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism is needed for cancer cell survival. Fatty acid metabolic reprogramming is one of the hallmarks of the cancer condition since it can affect cellular functions. The reprogramming of fatty acid synthesis includes increased exogenous fatty acid uptake, de novo fatty acid synthesis, and oxidation of fatty acids. Identifying biochemical targets in fatty acid metabolism is useful for diagnosing and predicting the therapeutic efficiency in tumor treatment.