Cancer and obesity
Scientists have explained how obesity can lead to cancer
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
Researchers from Norway was able to identify the molecular causes that, against the background of excess weight, increase the risk of developing a malignant tumor. Today, about a quarter of the world's population suffers from overweight and obesity, and against the background of the continuous growth of these indicators, scientists predict an increase in the incidence of cancer.
The development of cancer is caused by genetic changes that violate the normal restriction of cell growth. Overweight has long been a risk factor for cancer, but until now scientists did not know the exact reasons for this relationship. Now a team from the University of Bergen has shown the molecular mechanism that triggers cancer, according to a press release Obesity Might Lead To Cancer: Now We Know Why.
The article by Liu et al. C/EBPB-dependent adaptation to palmitic acid promotes tumor formation in hormone receptor negative breast cancer is published in the journal Nature Communications – VM.
It turned out that lipids associated with obesity make cancer cells more aggressive and prone to tumor formation. This is due to cellular adaptation in response to the microenvironment of cancer cells, rather than the spread of cancer cell populations, the authors explain. Cellular adaptation is regulated by palmitic acid, and the whole process affects epigenetic mechanisms through the C/EBPB pathway.
"This means that even in the absence of new gene mutations, obesity increases the risk of tumor formation," commented co—author Niels Halberg.
The interaction of two complex diseases revealed by scientists will allow us to develop more effective cancer treatment methods and monitor the condition of patients with cancer and obesity, as well as healthy overweight people with special attention. According to statistics, almost 2 billion overweight adults and children live in the world, so scientists predict an increase in the incidence of cancer. Today, obesity provokes about half a million new cases annually.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru