Obesity and inflammation: new insights into breast cancer development and progression

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The importance of inflammation in promoting carcinogenesis and tumor progression is well recognized. Chronic inflammation caused by a variety of infectious agents can lead to the development of several common malignancies. Similarly, inflammatory bowel disease is a well-known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Much less is known about the link between inflammation and the development of breast cancer. Recent data suggest that obesity causes both in-breast and systemic inflammation that contribute to the development and progression of breast cancer. This observation has potentially important implications in terms of prevention and treatment of breast cancer, especially given the rising worldwide overweight and obesity rates. Inflamed white adipose tissue (WAT) within the breast is associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators, enhanced expression of aromatase (the rate-limiting enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis), and increased estrogen receptor-α (ER-α)-dependent gene expression. Systemic consequences of obesity including altered adipokine levels, elevated circulating estrogen levels, and insulin resistance are also believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Collectively, these findings suggest a significant role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in obese and overweight patients.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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