Study reveals fatty acid metabolism's role in liver cancer diversity

A new study published in Acta Materia Medica explores fatty acid metabolism in liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It highlights how fatty acid reprogramming contributes to the diversity of HCC, which has not been previously established. Using bioinformatics and single-cell sequencing, researchers found that epithelial cells in HCC showed the highest levels of fatty acid metabolic changes. In contrast, certain lymphocytes had the lowest levels. The study also linked low fatty acid metabolism to poorer patient outcomes. The research indicates that fatty acid metabolism is closely related to the heterogeneity of HCC, revealing significant differences in cancer cell types and metabolic enzymes. Higher oxidase expression was associated with better survival rates.