Adipokines and Cancer Risk Factors
Summary
Adipokines are bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue that serve as key communicators between energy stores and distant organs. In the context of cancer risk, adipokines orchestrate a complex interplay of metabolic, inflammatory and hormonal pathways. Excess adiposity skews the balance of adipokine secretion towards a pro-tumourigenic profile, characterised by elevated levels of leptin, resistin and visfatin alongside diminished adiponectin. This imbalance fosters chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and aberrant cell proliferation, all of which can promote initiation and progression of malignancies. Adipokines also remould the tumour microenvironment by modulating immune cell infiltration, extracellular matrix remodelling and angiogenesis. Collectively, these effects heighten susceptibility to diverse cancers, including those of the breast, endometrium, ovary, lung and colon. Recognition of adipokine signatures as biomarkers offers promise for risk stratification, while therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring healthy adipokine balance may attenuate obesity-related cancer burden on a global scale.
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Adipokines and Cancer Risk Factors publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in adipokines and cancer risk factors across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adipokine: A signalling protein secreted by adipose tissue that regulates metabolic and inflammatory processes.
Adiponectin: An adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising properties, often reduced in obesity.
Leptin: A pro-inflammatory adipokine that promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis in several cancers.
Tumour microenvironment: The local cellular milieu surrounding a tumour, including stromal cells, immune cells and extracellular matrix.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK): A cellular energy sensor that, when activated, can inhibit anabolic pathways and suppress tumour growth.
Insulin resistance: A metabolic state in which cells fail to respond effectively to insulin, often linked to chronic inflammation and cancer risk.
References
- The Role of Selected Adipocytokines in Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer. Cells (2023).
- A Mediation Analysis of Obesity and Adiponectin Association with Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk: A Nested Cohort Study in the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II (IBIS-II) Prevention Trial. Nutrients (2024).
- Adiponectin Receptor Agonist AdipoRon Inhibits Proliferation and Drives Glycolytic Dependence in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers (2024).
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