title: Increased soluble leptin receptor levels are associated with advanced tumor stage in colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The leptin receptor is involved in modulating leptin activity, acting as a carrier protein. A link between leptin or leptin receptor and cancer development has been proposed and here, the hypothesis that leptin and its receptor might be implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and invasion was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 71 consecutive patients with CRC were enrolled in the study. Serum leptin and leptin receptor levels were evaluated by commercial ELISA kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multinomial logistic regression model showed a positive association of leptin and leptin receptor with advanced tumor stages, which was significant for the leptin receptor in stage IV of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High circulating levels of leptin receptor occur in patients with advanced stage of colon cancer, suggesting a role for leptin in cancer progression and aggressiveness.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Via Turi, 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte (Bari), Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tutino
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Notarnicola
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Dionigi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin