Non-Coding RNAs as Critical Modulators of Cholesterol Metabolism in Cancer.

Cholesterol metabolism reprogramming helps tumor cells meet their high energy and biosynthetic needs. Many studies link high cholesterol levels to a higher risk of cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism contributes to cancer development and progression. Various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, piRNAs, and tRNAs, are key players in this process. However, systematic reviews of ncRNAs' functions in cholesterol metabolism and their impact on tumor progression are limited. This review aims to address this gap by summarizing the current understanding of how ncRNAs govern cholesterol metabolism in cancer. We provide a comprehensive overview of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming in tumor progression through its influence on growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune evasion. Moreover, we summarize recent advances in understanding how ncRNAs regulate cholesterol metabolism in cancer, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.