A study conducted by the Uuniversity of Calabria revealed a link betweenobesity and an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. Published onInternational Journal of Cancera prestigious oncology journal, research focused on obesity-induced molecular changes that can create an environment conducive to the development of tumors.
Under the guidance of Sebastiano Andòprofessor emeritus of general pathology in the university’s Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, the team examined how theobesity you modify the levels of hormones and certain molecules, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines produced by adipose tissue. These alterations can promote the growth of tumor cells.
A particular focus of the research was directed towardsadiponectina, a protein secreted by adipose tissue. The results of the study indicate that a low concentration of adiponectin could be responsible for the progression of 70% of breast cancer cases.
The importance of this finding lies in the relative paucity of previous studies directly linking circulating adipokines with the onset and progression of breast cancer. This research therefore opens new perspectives for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies, as underlined by the University of Calabria in an official note.
The publication of these results in the International Journal of Cancer confirms the importance and innovativeness of the work carried out by the Calabrian research group, offering new ways for the treatment and understanding of the link between obesity and cancer.
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