Choline-phospholipids inter-conversion is altered in elderly patients with prostate cancer

The current results support systemic alterations in phospholipids metabolism in PCa. We report on a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of sphingomyelin in elderly patients with PCa and in users of statins. The PCa-associated low sphingomyelin showed a synergy with the effect of statins. The presence of PCa was not associated with significant changes in plasma concentrations of choline or methyl metabolites. However, changes in choline absorption and tissue uptake cannot be ruled out in this study.