Lipid in Renal Carcinoma: Queen Bee to Target?

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal cancer subtype, characterized by a lipid storage phenotype. We found that carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), the rate-limiting enzyme of mitochondrial fatty acid (FA) transport, is repressed by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), reducing FA oxidation (FAO). Altering lipid metabolism may be a new therapeutic avenue in ccRCC. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal cancer subtype, characterized by a lipid storage phenotype. We found that carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), the rate-limiting enzyme of mitochondrial fatty acid (FA) transport, is repressed by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), reducing FA oxidation (FAO). Altering lipid metabolism may be a new therapeutic avenue in ccRCC.