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Review
. 2024 Dec;25(12):e13833.
doi: 10.1111/obr.13833. Epub 2024 Sep 17.

Lipids and adipocytes involvement in tumor progression with a focus on obesity and diet

Chiara Calabrese  1 , Giacomo Miserocchi  1 , Alessandro De Vita  1 , Chiara Spadazzi  1 , Claudia Cocchi  1 , Silvia Vanni  1 , Sofia Gabellone  1 , Giovanni Martinelli  2 , Nicoletta Ranallo  3 , Alberto Bongiovanni  3 , Chiara Liverani  1
Affiliations
Review

Lipids and adipocytes involvement in tumor progression with a focus on obesity and diet

Chiara Calabrese et al. Obes Rev. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

The adipose tissue is a complex organ that can play endocrine, metabolic, and immune regulatory roles in cancer. In particular, adipocytes provide metabolic substrates for cancer cell proliferation and produce signaling molecules that can stimulate cell adhesion, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Cancer cells, in turn, can reprogram adipocytes towards a more inflammatory state, resulting in a vicious cycle that fuels tumor growth and evolution. These mechanisms are enhanced in obesity, which is associated with the risk of developing certain tumors. Diet, an exogenous source of lipids with pro- or anti-inflammatory functions, has also been connected to cancer risk. This review analyzes how adipocytes and lipids are involved in tumor development and progression, focusing on the relationship between obesity and cancer. In addition, we discuss how diets with varying lipid intakes can affect the disease outcomes. Finally, we introduce novel metabolism-targeted treatments and adipocyte-based therapies in oncology.

Keywords: adipocytes; cancer; diet; lipids; obesity.

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References

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