Scientists from Northwestern University in the United States have developed specialized nanoparticles that block cancer cells from absorbing cholesterol, their main energy source. This approach slows the growth of tumors in a particularly aggressive form of ovarian cancer. The findings were published in Advanced Science and are part of ongoing efforts to uncover new ways to hinder tumor progression by targeting the metabolic needs of cancer cells.
Ovarian cancer often evolves resistance to treatments over time, a phenomenon known as chemoresistance. Researchers note that this resistance is connected to an increased uptake of cholesterol by cancer cells, which fuels their survival and division. By disrupting this lipid supply, the therapy aims to keep tumor cells from thriving even when standard treatments are used.
In the laboratory, scientists created a synthetic nanoparticle designed to mimic a cholesterol molecule. This clever construct competes with cholesterol for uptake by cancer cells, effectively starving them and hampering their growth. In preliminary mouse studies, scientists observed that cancer cells absorbed these particles less efficiently, leading to diminished cellular activity and a marked reduction in tumor volumes—exceeding 50 percent in some cases. The results suggest that cholesterol-mimicking nanoparticles can interfere with the energy balance of tumor cells and slow disease progression. (Source: Northwestern University)
Researchers explain that the dysfunction of tumor cells after exposure to these nanoparticles arises from lipid oxidation within the cell membrane. This disruption damages the cells’ metabolic integrity and reduces their ability to proliferate. The team emphasizes that the next phase of work will evaluate how these nanoparticles perform when combined with conventional chemotherapy and to study their impact on immune cells, aiming to understand potential synergies and any effects on the body’s natural defense mechanisms. (Source: Northwestern University)
As the science progresses, clinicians and scientists stress the importance of translating these findings into safe and effective treatment strategies. The hope is to see whether cholesterol-targeting nanoparticles can complement existing therapies, potentially overcoming resistance and enhancing tumor control. Ongoing investigations will also monitor any implications for healthy tissues and systemic lipid metabolism, ensuring a cautious and responsible path toward possible clinical trials. Researchers remain focused on refining delivery methods, improving specificity for cancer cells, and evaluating long-term outcomes in preclinical models. (Source: Northwestern University)
For readers seeking broader context, a clinician notes that skin cancers are commonly identified through a combination of visual checks, dermoscopic examination, and, where necessary, biopsy. Early detection remains crucial for successful management, and ongoing research in oncology continues to seek more precise ways to interrupt cancer metabolism and spread. The current ovarian cancer work fits within a wider effort to target the unique energy demands of cancer cells, which may differ from those of normal tissues. (Source: Northwestern University)