The Role of Intracellular Lipid-Binding Proteins in Digestive System Neoplasms

TL;DR

This paper explores how intracellular lipid-binding proteins affect the growth and treatment of digestive system cancers.

Contribution

The paper highlights the dual roles of intracellular lipid-binding proteins as both tumor suppressors and promoters in gastrointestinal cancers.

Findings

Intracellular lipid-binding proteins influence cancer progression, drug resistance, and treatment response.

These proteins regulate signaling pathways, gene expression, and inflammation in gastrointestinal cancers.

They serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in GI oncology.

Abstract

Fats and fat-soluble vitamins, such as retinoic acid, are insoluble in water, so they need help for their transportation within the cells. Intracellular lipid-binding proteins help the cells to absorb and use these types of molecules for energy, growth, and repair. In gastrointestinal cancers, these proteins can influence how quickly tumours grow, or how far they spread, or how they respond to treatment. Some of these proteins may help cancer cells resist drugs or survive, while others may slow cancer progression. Understanding how these proteins work can help clinicians and scientists predict cancer behaviour and develop new treatments, offering more effective and personalised care for patients.

Intracellular lipid-binding proteins (iLBPs) are key mediators of intracellular transport for fatty acids and retinoids, functioning as lipid chaperones. Beyond lipid transport, iLBPs regulate signalling pathways, gene expression, oxidative balance, and inflammation. Furthermore, they are increasingly recognised for their involvement in gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, especially in cancer. iLBPs are classified into four different subfamilies, each displaying distinct tissue distributions and ligand preferences. Functional roles are context-dependent, for instance, CRABP2 may act as either tumour suppressor or promoter, and FABP4 exhibits metabolic state dependent effects. These proteins also influence drug resistance, immune evasion, and lipid-mediated signalling. Overall, iLBPs extend beyond lipid trafficking to intersect with oncogenic pathways, influence cell fate, and affect treatment response, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in GI oncology.

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