| Theme |
Obesity and Digestive Organ |
| Title |
Obesity—associated Cancer |
| Author |
Michihiro Mutoh |
Epidemiology and Prevention Group, Center for Public Health Sciences, National Cancer Center |
| Author |
Gen Fujii |
Central Radioisotope Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute |
| Author |
Hitoshi Nakagama |
National Cancer Center |
| [ Summary ] |
Obesity and overweight are increasing in Japan, and there is a concern that the number of obesity‒related cancer patients will increase. In the pathology of obesity, low‒grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) is induced by adipocytokines secreted from enlarged white adipocytes, and by quantitative and qualitative changes in immune cells. Insulin resistance also induces inflammation, cell proliferation and vulnerable angiogenesis in tumor microenvironments, causing promotion for tumor proliferation. On the other hand, exercise and dietary intervention act preventively on tumor development by reducing the systemic level of molecules contributing to carcinogenesis and improving the tumor microenvironment. Chemoprevention could be also considered as a useful modality next to exercise and dietary intervention. |