Breast cancer and sphingolipid signalling

Cancer develops from overlapping events that tend to deregulate the metabolism and unbalance the homeostasis of cells. Sphingolipids, major components of biological membranes, are also mediators of intracellular signalling. Their metabolism can be influenced by diverse stimuli and the accumulation or deficiency of intermediates may trigger proliferation and/or impair the ability of damaged cells to undergo apoptosis. Many sphingolipid-regulated functions are implicated in tumour initiation, promotion, progression and responsiveness to chemotherapy. In this review, evidence of the alteration of sphingolipids metabolism and signalling will be discussed in breast cancer prevention and therapy.