title: Metabolic syndrome and risk of cancer: which link?
abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by a group of metabolic disturbances which lead to an enhanced risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. MS constitutes a preoccupant issue with elevated prevalence in the western countries and is often related with cancer development. Elucidating the mechanisms linking these two pathologies is, therefore, essential to identify potential therapeutic molecular targets for cancer treatment in MS patients. The main goals of this review are, to identify the relation between MS and cancer development, handling specifically each one of the main players on this process: insulin and IGF system, estrogen, pro-inflammatory cytokines and others; and, given that colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in MS patients, we intend to particularly highlight the mechanisms that promote colorectal cancer development in MS individuals. Finally, we will also focus on the clinical implications of the presented mechanisms on cancer therapy and care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Fernando Miguel
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipa Rodrigues
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Luísa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara Costa
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel Lage
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38-FCT), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal. Electronic address: raqsoa@med.up.pt.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319 Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abreu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Cancer progression; Colorectal cancer; Metabolic syndrome; Molecular mechanisms; Therapeutic targets