Adiponectin, Obesity, and Cancer

Abstract

The worst outcomes of cancer, such as recurrence and mortality, are associated with obesity. Adiponectin is a fat-derived hormone and an important regulator of cell growth and tissue remodeling. Secreted exclusively from adipocytes into the peripheral blood, adiponectin contributes to tumor progression by acting locally and at distant sites. Contrary to expectations, adiponectin is decreased in obesity providing a link to tumorigenesis. Herein, we consider adiponectin's structure and post-translational modifications as critical determinants of its activity and receptor-binding ability. The cellular signaling pathways affected by the presence of adiponectin are discussed in the context of malignancy along with the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio as an adjunctive tool in recurrence prediction. While the mechanisms involved in the paradoxical relationship between adiponectin, obesity, and cancer remain obscure, adiponectin replacement-based therapies may represent a novel preventative approach to diminish the incidence and mortality from obesity-associated cancers.