Leptin (Obesity Protein) and Breast Cancer Metastasis
Abstract
Obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal% women. Adipose tissue is a major source of leptin, a cytokine acting as a key regulator of energy balance. Leptin can also induce mitogenic and angiogenic effects in different cell types. New data suggested that in breast cancer cells, leptin can stimulate proliferation by activating the long form of the Ob receptor (ObR). We hypothesized that in obese women, locally elevated levels of leptin could promote the growth of primary breast tumors. The results of our work indicated that 1) several breast cancer cell lines express the long and short form of the leptin receptor (Ob-R); 2) leptin stimulates the proliferation in different breast cancer cell lines by 30- 40%; 3) in MCF-7 cells, leptin activates the ERKl/2 and STAT3 signaling pathways; 4) in MCF-7 cells, leptin interferes with the action of the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 by upregulating the activity of estrogen receptor alpha. In summary, our data suggested that higher levels of leptin could promote breast cancer cells growth and impede the efficacy of hormonal treatments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA418984
Entities
People
- Eva Surmacz
Organizations
- Thomas Jefferson University