title: Obesity, proinflammatory mediators, adipose tissue progenitors, and breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is emerging evidence that obesity is associated with an increase in the incidence, severity, and mortality from different types of cancer, including postmenopausal breast cancer. Here, we discuss the role of white adipose tissue (WAT) cells and of related soluble factors in the local and metastatic growth of this neoplastic disease. Moreover, we discuss the recent increase in the use of WAT-derived progenitor cells in breast cancer patients to enhance the quality of breast reconstruction and the related risks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In several murine models, WAT cells and progenitors were found to have cooperative roles in promoting local breast cancer. Moreover, they were found to contribute to adipocytes and pericytes supporting the cancer vasculature, and stimulated the metastatic progression of breast cancer. There are some clinically retrospective data showing a significant increase in the frequency of intraepithelial neoplasia in patients who received a lipofilling procedure for breast reconstruction compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preclinical models and clinical studies are urgently needed to investigate how to inhibit the tumor-promoting activity of WAT cells and progenitors. The risks associated with the use of WAT cells for breast reconstructions should be better investigated retrospectively and prospectively.
authors.affiliation: aLaboratory of Hematology-Oncology bDivision of Plastic Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy cInstitute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orecchioni
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Petit
authors.forename: Mikhail G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kolonin
mesh_terms: D052436:Adipose Tissue, White; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells