title: Growth signals, inflammation, and vascular perturbations: mechanistic links between obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
abstract: Nearly 35% of adults and 20% of children in the United States are obese, defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m(2). Obesity, which is accompanied by metabolic dysregulation often manifesting in the metabolic syndrome, is an established risk factor for many cancers. Within the growth-promoting, proinflammatory environment of the obese state, cross talk between macrophages, adipocytes, and epithelial cells occurs via obesity-associated hormones, cytokines, and other mediators that may enhance cancer risk and progression. This review synthesizes the evidence on key biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-cancer link, with particular emphasis on obesity-associated enhancements in growth factor signaling, inflammation, and vascular integrity processes. These interrelated pathways represent possible mechanistic targets for disrupting the obesity-cancer link.
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723, USA. shursting@austin.utexas.edu
authors: Stephen D
authors: SD
authors: Hursting
authors: Marcie J
authors: MJ
authors: Hursting
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D002450:Cell Communication; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000502:physiology; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1; D011972:Receptor, Insulin