Atorvastatin promotes lipid catabolism in colorectal cancer via FDFT1‒mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: As a hydroxymethylglutaryl‒coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, atorvastatin (ATST) has garnered widespread attention because of its antitumor effects. However, its specific mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. In our study, ATST was found to inhibit AOM/DSS‒induced colorectal cancer (CRC) progression in mice. Mechanistically, by inhibiting HMGCR and depleting cellular cholesterol, ATST activates the SREBP2‒FDFT1 axis. This in turn inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway, inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy while concurrently promoting lipid catabolism to drive ferroptosis. This study elucidates the mechanism through which ATST regulates lipid catabolism to influence CRC progression, providing a new direction for CRC therapy.
Source: Cell Communication and Signaling
Authors: Jiale Xu, Xiaoyu Qin, Longying Xiong, Cheng Zhao, Dan Ge, Yanping Wu, Yixuan Shen, Mengli Yang, Bihan Shen, Min Chen, Chen Min
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,390
Awards: G1890162146, G7269230933
OpenAlex ID: W7140041560