Enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase in cancer.

Enoyl-CoA hydratase (Ech) catalyzes the second step in the physiologically important beta-oxidation pathway of fatty acid metabolism. The enzyme was reported to be associated with the progression, metastasis and drug resistance of cancers. It might function as a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor for certain cancers depending on the particular type or stage of tumor cells/tissues. In this review, Ech's association with malignant tumors as well as its potential mechanisms is discussed and summarized. The enzyme might be useful in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis determination of certain tumors.