Research progress on lipid metabolism reprogramming and nutritional metabolic disorders in colorectal cancer

Xie Jinxi; Li Zongze; Sun Weijian

doi:10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.005

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Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer ›› 2026, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (4) : 484-490. DOI: 10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.005

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Research progress on lipid metabolism reprogramming and nutritional metabolic disorders in colorectal cancer

Xie Jinxi, Li Zongze, Sun Weijian

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Abstract

Lipid metabolism reprogramming participates in the initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer (CRC), and represents an important link between tumor biology and nutritional metabolic disorders. This review summarizes key processes including lipid uptake and transport, de novo fatty acid synthesis, lipid droplet storage and mobilization, fatty acid β-oxidation, and cholesterol homeostasis, with emphasis on their regulation by Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and SREBP-related pathways. We further discuss how abnormal lipid metabolism affects adipose tissue function, the immune microenvironment, gut microbiota, and systemic nutritional status, contributing to malnutrition, cancer cachexia, sarcopenia, and myosteatosis. Current evidence suggests that lipid metabolism-related molecules, circulating lipid profiles, and CT-derived body composition parameters may support risk stratification and prognostic assessment in CRC, while metabolic targeting, nutritional therapy, and exercise intervention show potential for clinical translation.

Key words

Colorectal cancer / Lipid metabolism reprogramming / Nutritional metabolic disorder / Tumor microenvironment / Gut microbiota / Sarcopenia / Body composition / Clinical translation

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Xie Jinxi, Li Zongze, Sun Weijian. Research progress on lipid metabolism reprogramming and nutritional metabolic disorders in colorectal cancer[J]. Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer. 2026, 13(4): 484-490 https://doi.org/10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.04.005

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