Current perspectives between metabolic syndrome and cancer

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies linked metabolic syndrome and several types of cancer. Although metabolic syndrome may not necessarily cause cancer, it is linked to poorer cancer outcomes including increased risk of recurrence and overall mortality. This review tends to discuss the major biological and physiological alterations involved in the increase of incidence and mortality of cancer patients affected by metabolic syndrome. We focus on metabolic syndrome-associated visceral adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) pathway as well as estrogen signaling and inflammation. Several of these factors are also involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. A better understanding of the link between metabolic syndrome and cancer may provide new insight about oncogenesis. Moreover, prevention of metabolic syndrome - related alterations may be an important aspect in the management of cancer patients during simultaneous palliative care.

Keywords: cancer risk; hyperglycemia; inflammation; metabolic syndrome; visceral adiposity.

Figure 1. Association between metabolic syndrome and cancer risk

Risk ratio in different cancer sites both in men i. and in women ii.

Figure 2. Mechanisms that increase the risk of cancer in patients with metabolic syndrome

Biological alterations associated with MetS that influence cancer development and progression such as visceral adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, IGF/IGF-R axis, inflammation and estrogen signaling.

Figure 3. Potential intracellular pathways directly linking MetS with cancer

Enzymatic proteins (involved in the Warburg effect) which may represent potential target therapies in oncological patients are also represented (white circles). Drugs are shown in white boxes.