The FATP2 axis in cancer: Structural informatics and implications for drug discovery

Yuanyuan Wang; Yunjiao Zhang; Bo Zhang; Faez Iqbal Khan

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680

The FATP2 axis in cancer: Structural informatics and implications for drug discovery

Yuanyuan Wang
, Yunjiao Zhang
, Bo Zhang^*
, Faez Iqbal Khan^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Liverpool
Xijing Hospital
The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Dysregulated fatty acid (FA) metabolism sustains tumour growth and metastasis, yet effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive. Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2/ SLC27A2) has emerged as a pivotal metabolic gatekeeper, coordinating the uptake and activation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Despite its established role in driving tumour-associated immune suppression and metabolic dependencies, FATP2-directed drug discovery is limited by the lack of high-resolution structural information. This review integrates recent biological insights with computational and structural informatics, assessing reported chemotypes against available homology and AlphaFold-derived models to propose a rational, structure-based framework for next-generation FATP2 inhibitor design and prioritization.

Original language	English
Article number	104680
Journal	Drug Discovery Today
Volume	31
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680
Publication status	Published - 22 Apr 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

cancer metabolism
FATP2
MDSCs
SLC27A2
structure-based drug design
tumour microenvironment

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10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680

Cite this

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title = "The FATP2 axis in cancer: Structural informatics and implications for drug discovery",

abstract = "Dysregulated fatty acid (FA) metabolism sustains tumour growth and metastasis, yet effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive. Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2/ SLC27A2) has emerged as a pivotal metabolic gatekeeper, coordinating the uptake and activation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Despite its established role in driving tumour-associated immune suppression and metabolic dependencies, FATP2-directed drug discovery is limited by the lack of high-resolution structural information. This review integrates recent biological insights with computational and structural informatics, assessing reported chemotypes against available homology and AlphaFold-derived models to propose a rational, structure-based framework for next-generation FATP2 inhibitor design and prioritization.",

keywords = "cancer metabolism, FATP2, MDSCs, SLC27A2, structure-based drug design, tumour microenvironment",

author = "Yuanyuan Wang and Yunjiao Zhang and Bo Zhang and Khan, \{Faez Iqbal\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Elsevier Ltd.",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

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doi = "10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680",

language = "English",

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journal = "Drug Discovery Today",

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T1 - The FATP2 axis in cancer: Structural informatics and implications for drug discovery

AU - Wang, Yuanyuan

AU - Zhang, Yunjiao

AU - Zhang, Bo

AU - Khan, Faez Iqbal

PY - 2026/4/22

Y1 - 2026/4/22

N2 - Dysregulated fatty acid (FA) metabolism sustains tumour growth and metastasis, yet effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive. Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2/ SLC27A2) has emerged as a pivotal metabolic gatekeeper, coordinating the uptake and activation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Despite its established role in driving tumour-associated immune suppression and metabolic dependencies, FATP2-directed drug discovery is limited by the lack of high-resolution structural information. This review integrates recent biological insights with computational and structural informatics, assessing reported chemotypes against available homology and AlphaFold-derived models to propose a rational, structure-based framework for next-generation FATP2 inhibitor design and prioritization.

AB - Dysregulated fatty acid (FA) metabolism sustains tumour growth and metastasis, yet effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive. Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2/ SLC27A2) has emerged as a pivotal metabolic gatekeeper, coordinating the uptake and activation of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Despite its established role in driving tumour-associated immune suppression and metabolic dependencies, FATP2-directed drug discovery is limited by the lack of high-resolution structural information. This review integrates recent biological insights with computational and structural informatics, assessing reported chemotypes against available homology and AlphaFold-derived models to propose a rational, structure-based framework for next-generation FATP2 inhibitor design and prioritization.

KW - cancer metabolism

KW - FATP2

KW - MDSCs

KW - SLC27A2

KW - structure-based drug design

KW - tumour microenvironment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105037590777

U2 - 10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680

DO - 10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104680

M3 - Review article

C2 - 42031099

AN - SCOPUS:105037590777

SN - 1359-6446

VL - 31

JO - Drug Discovery Today

JF - Drug Discovery Today

IS - 3

M1 - 104680

ER -

The FATP2 axis in cancer: Structural informatics and implications for drug discovery

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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