Myelin recycling by macrophages fuel brain cancer malignancy

To meet high energy demands for the tumor growth, cancer cells are in constant cross-talk with the tumor microenvironment (TME).

The researchers identified metabolically rewired tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) subpopulations with pro-tumorigenic properties. Recycling of cholesterol-rich myelin debris by macrophages needs  leads to the emergence of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMs) in glioblastoma.

LLMs support glioblastoma malignancy through transfer of myelin-derived lipids to tumor cells in an LXR/Abca1-dependent manner, fueling cancer cell proliferation and recurrence.

https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00824-9

https://sciencemission.com/Macrophage-mediated-myelin-recycling-fuels-brain-cancer-malignancy-1862