Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) represents a malignancy within the hematological system, in which the reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. This review focuses on the specificity of cholesterol metabolism abnormalities in the diagnosis of MM and their implications for the immune microenvironment, aiming to provide new perspectives for both diagnosis and treatment of MM. The expression changes of cholesterol metabolism-related genes (CMGs), such as ANXA2 and CHKA, closely correlate with the prognosis of MM. These CMGs are linked not only to clinical parameters, including the number of transplants and the International Staging System, but also to tumor incidence, progression, and treatment resistance. Consequently, they offer new biological markers for both the prognosis assessment and therapeutic strategies for MM. In terms of the immune microenvironment, reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism significantly influences tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), including T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), dendritic cells (DCs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Moreover, the cholesterol metabolite 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) enhances the activity of immunosuppressive macrophages by modulating lysosomal AMPK activation and metabolic reprogramming, thus presenting a new metabolic target for tumor immunotherapy. The regulatory effects of cholesterol metabolism on MDSCs are also noteworthy; these cells promote tumor progression by inhibiting T-cell responses. High-fat diets and obesity can induce the accumulation of MDSCs, where molecules involved in the cholesterol metabolic pathway, such as the synthase CYP27A1 for 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC), have been associated with poor prognoses in ovarian cancer. Genetic knockout of this enzyme significantly inhibits tumor progression. Regarding the diagnostic specificity of cholesterol metabolism abnormalities, these changes present novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of MM. Analyzing the correlation between immune cell proportions in the tumor microenvironment and lipid metabolism genes has unveiled potential links between cholesterol metabolism and immune responses, paving the way for precision medicine in MM. Thus, the reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism in MM offers a multidimensional and interdisciplinary research avenue. Future studies need to delve deeper into the specific mechanisms through which cholesterol metabolism contributes to MM development and leverage these findings to formulate new therapeutic strategies, ultimately improving outcomes for MM patients.