Obesity, diabetes, and increased cancer progression

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rates of obesity and diabetes have increased significantly over the past decades and the prevalence is expected to continue to rise further in the coming years. Many observations suggest that obesity and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancers, including liver, pancreatic, endometrial, colorectal, and post-menopausal breast cancer. The path towards developing obesity and diabetes is affected by multiple factors, including adipokines, inflammatory cytokines, growth hormones, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. The metabolic abnormalities associated with changes in the levels of these factors in obesity and diabetes have the potential to significantly contribute to the development and progression of cancer through the regulation of distinct signaling pathways. Here, we highlight the cellular and molecular pathways that constitute the links between obesity, diabetes, cancer risk and mortality. This includes a description of the existing evidence supporting the obesity-driven morphological and functional alternations of cancer cells and adipocytes through complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)799-812
Number of pages14
JournalDiabetes and Metabolism Journal
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2021

Keywords

  • Adipokines
  • Adipose tissue
  • Diabetes mellitus, type 2
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Insulin resistance
  • Neoplasms
  • Obesity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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