IR Sant Pau Researchers Coordinate an International Special Issue on Lipid Metabolism, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease

Dr. Noemí Rotllan, a researcher at the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) and CIBER of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), and Dr. Vicenta Llorente-Cortés, a researcher at the CIBER of Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV) and the Barcelona Biomedical Research Institute (IIBB-CSIC), together with Dr. Joan Carles Escolà-Gil, a researcher at IR Sant Pau and CIBERDEM, served as editors of this issue, which focuses on alterations in lipid metabolism in cancer and their relationship with cardiovascular diseases.

The special issue, titled “Lipid Metabolic Alterations in Cancer: Pathogenic Mechanisms, Therapies, and Common Pathophysiology with Cardiovascular Disease,” brings together 20 review articles written by internationally renowned researchers and clinicians, providing an up-to-date overview of the most significant advances in this emerging field of biomedical research.

Shared Biological Mechanisms

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, scientific evidence has shown that the two conditions share numerous risk factors and common pathophysiological mechanisms. Among these, alterations in lipid metabolism play a central role, as they are involved in processes such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, regulation of the immune response, and cellular metabolic adaptation.

The articles included in this special issue examine key aspects of these processes, including the role of macrophages and other immune cells in lipid-rich environments, the influence of the gut microbiota and its metabolites, alterations in cholesterol and lipoproteins, obesity as a driver of cancer-related and cardiovascular processes, the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs, and new therapeutic strategies targeting lipid metabolism.

Broad Participation by CIBER Research Groups

The publication also features significant contributions from research groups belonging to several CIBER thematic areas, including CIBERDEM, CIBERCV, the CIBER of Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), and the CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES). This participation reflects the multidisciplinary nature of this field of research and the value of collaboration among different biomedical specialties.

According to the editors, understanding the mechanisms that connect lipid metabolism with the development and progression of both cancer and cardiovascular diseases will make it possible to identify new therapeutic targets and design innovative prevention and treatment strategies. This knowledge may also contribute to advances in cardio-oncology, a growing field focused on studying the interactions between the two diseases.

This special issue strengthens CIBER’s role as a leading institution in translational research and highlights the importance of scientific collaboration in addressing some major health challenges of our time.

Reference Article: Escolà-Gil JC, Rotllan N, Llorente-Cortes V. Special issue: Lipid metabolic alterations in cancer: Pathogenic mechanisms, therapies and common pathophysiology with cardiovascular disease. Semin Cancer Biol. 2026 Jun 4;123-124:40-43. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2026.06.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42248269.