title: Adiponectin in relation to malignancies: a review of existing basic research and clinical evidence.
abstract: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone that plays an important role in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, may also be of importance in the development and progression of several malignancies. Circulating adiponectin concentrations, which are determined mainly by genetic factors, nutrition, and adiposity, are lower in patients with breast, endometrial, prostate, and colon cancer. It has thus been proposed that adiponectin may be a biological link between obesity (especially central obesity) and increased cancer risk. Adiponectin may influence cancer risk through its well-recognized effects on insulin resistance, but it is also plausible that adiponectin acts on tumor cells directly. Several cancer cell types express adiponectin receptors that may mediate the effects of adiponectin on cellular proliferation. Herein, we review recent evidence supporting a role of serum adiponectin concentrations as a novel risk factor and possible diagnostic marker for obesity-related malignancies, including cancers of the breast, endometrium, colon, and prostate. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the potential role of adiponectin in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Disease, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barb
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Anke K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Neuwirth
authors.forename: Christos S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Mantzoros
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C475418:ADIPOR1 protein, human; C475420:ADIPOR2 protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007328:Insulin; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin