Scientists discover that obesity promotes important molecules associated with breast cancer

Medical Network November 9th Highlights: A-FABP levels in the circulatory system are elevated in obesity-associated breast cancer, soluble A-FABP promotes dryness and invasiveness of breast tumors, A-FABP-induced ALDH1 activity Depending on the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, A-FABP deletion can relieve the link between high fat diet-induced obesity and breast tumor development.

It is well known that obesity can increase the risk of a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. Although scientists have made a lot of progress in exploring the relationship between obesity and cancer, the hidden mechanism of obesity increasing cancer risk remains unclear and needs more research. In the latest issue of Cell Metabolism, Chinese scientist Bing Li from the University of Louisville in the United States found that adipose fatty acid binding protein released by adipose tissue can promote the development of obesity-related breast cancer.

In this study, the researchers reported that the fatty acid binding protein A-FABP in the circulatory system promotes the development of obesity-related breast cancer. They used clinical samples to find that the level of A-FABP in the circulatory system of obese breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that of obese people without breast cancer. Further studies have shown that A-FABP is released from adipose tissue in the circulatory system and can directly target breast tumor cells, enhancing tumor dryness and invasiveness, and this effect is achieved by activating the IL-6/STAT3/ALDH1 pathway.

The study also found that knocking out A-FABP in different mouse models successfully inhibited tumor ALDH1 activation and growth and development of obesity-related breast tumors. Overall, these results suggest that A-FABP in the circulatory system is a link between obesity and breast cancer risk, suggesting that A-FABP is also a new target for the treatment of obesity-related cancer.

Original Source: Jiaqing Hao, et al. Circulating Adipose Fatty Acid Binding Protein Is a New Link Underlying Obesity-Associated Breast/Mammary Tumor Development. Cell Metabolism, VOLUME 28, ISSUE 5, P689-705.E5, NOVEMBER 06, 2018