Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42280151›Full record

ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Fatty Acids in Cancer Therapy: Chemical Conjugates, Nanocarriers, and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Gabriela Antal, Nicoleta Anamaria Pașcalău, Elisabeta Atyim, Oana Bătrîna, Codruța Șoica, Marius Mioc, Cristina Tandafirescu, Alexandra Mioc

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Gabriela AntalFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Nicoleta Anamaria PașcalăuDepartment of Psycho Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-3113-7232
Elisabeta AtyimFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.ORCID 0009-0006-6128-3632
Oana BătrînaFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.ORCID 0009-0004-1147-1825
Codruța ȘoicaFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Marius MiocFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Cristina TandafirescuFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.
Alexandra MiocFaculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0001-6459-2074

Funding

Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Fatty acids (FAs) have drawn attention in the field of oncology due to their multifaceted role, not only as structural components of lipid-based delivery systems but also as functional moieties that can enhance the pharmacokinetic and biological behavior of anticancer drugs and, subsequently, their therapeutic performance. Due to their biocompatibility, structural diversity, high affinity for biological membranes, and albumin-binding capacity, FAs can increase drug lipophilicity, membrane permeability, systemic distribution, tissue distribution, and enable controlled enzymatic release. All these properties endorse the development of nanocarriers containing FAs, such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS), and self-assembling lipidic prodrugs (LAPs). In addition, several FAs, especially polyunsaturated FAs, seem to have a direct anticancer activity by modulating lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, membrane organization, and regulating cell death pathways. This review summarizes the FA conjugation chemistry, the influence of FA on the pharmacokinetics and tumor-targeting capacity of anticancer agents, and the current developments in FA-based cancer treatment strategies, while also covering the biological functions of FA in cell death pathways and cancer metabolism. By integrating medicinal chemistry, nanocarrier design, pharmacokinetic modulation, and tumor lipid biology, this review positions FA-based strategies as a relevant and evolving platform for improving anticancer drug delivery, tumor selectivity, and therapeutic performance.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsDrug CarriersFatty AcidsNanoparticlesNeoplasmsAnimalsDrug Delivery SystemsHumansLiposomesProdrugsAntineoplastic AgentsDrug CarriersFatty AcidsLiposomesProdrugsanticancerderivatizationesterificationFA-conjugationfatty acidslipid-based formulationslipid nanoparticleslipid prodrugliposomesoncology

Identifiers

PMID42280151
PMCPMC13257774

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.