Circulating Omentin-1 as a Biomarker at the Intersection of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Occurrence and Cardiometabolic Risk: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Resistin and omentin in breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Resistin, omentin and ghrelin, adipokines involved in inflammation and metabolic regulation, have been implicated in cancer development, yet their associations with BC remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationships between resistin, omentin, and ghrelin concentrations and BC, while exploring potential moderators such as body mass index (BMI) and menopausal status. A comprehensive search of electronic databases up to 13 May 2024 identified studies comparing resistin and omentin, but not ghrelin, concentrations in BC patients and healthy controls. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to investigate sources of heterogeneity. Analysis of 11 studies showed that BC patients exhibited significantly higher resistin concentrations compared to controls, with a pooled SMD of 2.05 (95 % CI 1.24 to 2.86, p < 0.001). Meta-regression indicated that BMI significantly moderated the resistin-BC association (p = 0.003). In contrast, omentin concentrations presented a complex picture, with a pooled SMD of -0.27 (95 % CI -1.39 to 0.84, I^2 = 96.2 %, p < 0.001), indicating substantial heterogeneity and inconclusive results, whereas only one study investigated ghrelin. Our findings support a significant association between elevated resistin concentrations and BC, suggesting a potential role of resistin in BC pathophysiology. The data on omentin and ghrelin remain inconclusive, warranting further investigation. Future research should focus on large, longitudinal studies with standardized methodologies to validate these findings and clarify the role of adipokines in BC.

Association of Overweight and Inflammatory Indicators with Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Women

Objective

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association of overweight and inflammatory indicators with breast cancer risk in Chinese patients.

Methods

Weight, height, and peripheral blood inflammatory indicators, including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NE), lymphocyte count (LY), platelet count (PLT) and the concentration of hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), were collected in 383 patients with benign breast lumps (non-cancer) and 358 patients with malignant breast tumors (cancer) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China, from March 2018 to July 2020. Body mass index (BMI), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were determined according to the ratio equation. The correlations among overweight, inflammatory indicators, and the proportion of non-cancer or cancer cases were analyzed.

Results

BMI is associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Compared with non-cancer patients, the average WBC count, NE count, NLR, and level of hsCRP were significantly higher in cancer patients. The level of hsCRP was closely associated with the size of malignant breast tumors.

Conclusion

We conclude that overweight and high levels of hsCRP may serve as putative risk factors for malignant breast tumors in Chinese women.

Obesity and Leukemia: Biological Mechanisms, Perspectives, and Challenges

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine the epidemiological data on obesity and leukemia; evaluate the effect of obesity on leukemia outcomes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors; assess the potential mechanisms through which obesity may increase the risk of leukemia; and provide the effects of obesity management on leukemia. Preventive (diet, physical exercise, obesity pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery) measures, repurposing drugs, candidate therapeutic agents targeting oncogenic pathways of obesity and insulin resistance in leukemia as well as challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Obesity has been implicated in the development of 13 cancers, such as breast, endometrial, colon, renal, esophageal cancers, and multiple myeloma. Leukemia is estimated to account for approximately 2.5% and 3.1% of all new cancer incidence and mortality, respectively, while it represents the most frequent cancer in children younger than 5 years. Current evidence indicates that obesity may have an impact on the risk of leukemia. Increased birthweight may be associated with the development of childhood leukemia. Obesity is also associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality in leukemic patients. However, there are several limitations and challenges in meta-analyses and epidemiological studies. In addition, weight gain may occur in a substantial number of childhood ALL survivors while the majority of studies have documented an increased risk of relapse and mortality among patients with childhood ALL and obesity. The main pathophysiological pathways linking obesity to leukemia include bone marrow adipose tissue; hormones such as insulin and the insulin-like growth factor system as well as sex hormones; pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α; adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin; dyslipidemia and lipid signaling; chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress; and other emerging mechanisms. Obesity represents a risk factor for leukemia, being among the only known risk factors that could be prevented or modified through weight loss, healthy diet, and physical exercise. Pharmacological interventions, repurposing drugs used for cardiometabolic comorbidities, and bariatric surgery may be recommended for leukemia and obesity-related cancer prevention.

The Role of Adipokines in Tumor Progression and Its Association with Obesity

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for various malignancies and emerging evidence suggests that adipokines play a pivotal role in linking excess adiposity to tumorigenesis. Adipokines are bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue and their altered expression in obesity contributes to a pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and growth-promoting microenvironment conducive to tumorigenesis. Leptin, a key adipokine, activates survival and proliferative signaling pathways whereas adiponectin exhibits tumor-suppressive effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Visfatin has also been documented to promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Moreover, emerging studies suggest that adipokines, such as resistin, apelin, and chemerin, which are overexpressed in obesity, may also possess oncogenic functions. Despite advancements in our understanding of the roles of individual adipokines in cancer, the intricate interplay and crosstalk between adipokines, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment remain complex and multifaceted. This review highlights the evolving knowledge of how adipokines contribute to obesity-related tumorigenesis, shedding light on the potential of targeting adipokine signaling pathways as a novel therapeutic approach for obesity-associated cancers. Further research on the specific mechanisms and interactions between adipokines and tumor cells is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of obesity-associated cancer pathogenesis.

Serum omentin-1 is correlated with the severity of liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have increased serum omentin-1. Omentin-1 is an anti-inflammatory adipokine, and higher levels may be a direct effect of HCV infection. Successful elimination of HCV by direct acting antivirals almost normalized circulating levels of various molecules with a role in inflammation.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of HCV infection on serum omentin-1, serum omentin-1 levels of HCV patients were measured before therapy and at 12 wk after therapy end. Associations of serum omentin-1 with parameters of inflammation and liver function were explored at both time points. Serum omentin-1 levels of patients with and without liver cirrhosis, which was defined by ultrasound or the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, were compared.

METHODS

Serum omentin-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 84 chronic HCV patients before therapy and at 12 wk after therapy end where sustained virological response 12 (SVR12) was achieved in all patients. Serum omentin-1 of 14 non-infected controls was measured in parallel.

RESULTS

In patients with chronic HCV, serum omentin-1 levels were not related to viral load or viral genotype. HCV patients with liver steatosis and HCV patients with diabetes had serum omentin-1 levels comparable to patients not suffering from these conditions. Serum omentin-1 levels at SVR12 were similar in comparison to pretreatment levels. In addition, serum levels did not differ between HCV-infected patients and non-infected controls. Serum omentin-1 levels did not correlate with leukocyte count or C-reactive protein. Positive correlations of serum omentin-1 with bilirubin and the model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD) were detected before therapy and at SVR12 in the whole cohort. Bilirubin and the MELD score also positively correlated with serum omentin-1 levels in the subgroup of patients with ultrasound diagnosed liver cirrhosis before therapy. At SVR12, serum omentin-1 levels of patients with liver cirrhosis negatively correlated with albumin. Before therapy start, patients with high FIB-4 scores had increased serum omentin-1 in comparison to patients with a low score. Serum omentin-1 levels of patients with liver cirrhosis defined by ultrasound were increased at baseline and at SVR12.

CONCLUSION

Present study showed that liver cirrhosis, but not HCV infection per se, is related to elevated serum omentin-1 levels.

Highlighting the idea of exerkines in the management of cancer patients with cachexia: novel insights and a critical review

BACKGROUND

Exerkines are all peptides, metabolites, and nucleic acids released into the bloodstream during and after physical exercise. Exerkines liberated from skeletal muscle (myokines), the heart (cardiokines), liver (hepatokines), white adipose tissue (adipokines), brown adipose tissue (batokines), and neurons (neurokines) may benefit health and wellbeing. Cancer-related cachexia is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by weight loss with specific skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss. Many studies have sought to provide exercise strategies for managing cachexia, focusing on musculoskeletal tissue changes. Therefore, understanding the responses of musculoskeletal and other tissue exerkines to acute and chronic exercise may provide novel insight and recommendations for physical training to counteract cancer-related cachexia.

METHODS

For the purpose of conducting this study review, we made efforts to gather relevant studies and thoroughly discuss them to create a comprehensive overview. To achieve this, we conducted searches using appropriate keywords in various databases. Studies that were deemed irrelevant to the current research, not available in English, or lacking full-text access were excluded. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the limited amount of research conducted in this specific field.

RESULTS

In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the findings, we prioritized human studies in order to obtain results that closely align with the scope of the present study. However, in instances where human studies were limited or additional analysis was required to draw more robust conclusions, we also incorporated animal studies. Finally, 295 studies, discussed in this review.

CONCLUSION

Our understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms related to the significance of investigating exerkines in cancer cachexia is currently quite basic. Nonetheless, this demonstrated that resistance and aerobic exercise can contribute to the reduction and control of the disease in individuals with cancer cachexia, as well as in survivors, by inducing changes in exerkines.

The Role of Omentin-1 in Cancers Development and Progression

Adipose tissue serves as an energy store and is also an active endocrine organ, exerting activity that influences obesity-related processes through the production of regulatory proteins called adipokines or adipocytokines. Adipokines play important direct and indirect roles in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, the regulation of local and systemic inflammatory processes, and related metabolic complications. There have been an increasing number of studies showing the relationship between some adipokines and carcinogenesis. This work reviews the current literature concerning the effects of omentin-1 on carcinogenesis.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Serum Omentin-1 in Sepsis: A Prospective Study in Critically Ill Patients

Background and Objectives: Omentin-1, also known as intelectin-1, is a novel adipokine with anti-inflammatory activities implicated in inflammatory diseases and sepsis. We aimed to explore serum omentin-1 and its kinetics in critically ill patients early in sepsis and its association with severity and prognosis. Materials and Methods: Serum omentin-1 was determined in 102 critically ill patients with sepsis during the first 48 h from sepsis onset and 1 week later, and in 102 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The outcome of sepsis at 28 days after enrollment was recorded. Results: Serum omentin-1 at enrollment was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (763.3 ± 249.3 vs. 451.7 ± 122.3 μg/L, p < 0.001) and it further increased 1 week after (950.6 ± 215.5 vs. 763.3 ± 249.3 μg/L, p < 0.001). Patients with septic shock (n = 42) had higher omentin-1 compared to those with sepsis (n = 60) at enrollment (877.9 ± 241.2 vs. 683.1 ± 223.7 μg/L, p < 0.001) and 1 week after (1020.4 ± 224.7 vs. 901.7 ± 196.3 μg/L, p = 0.007). Furthermore, nonsurvivors (n = 30) had higher omentin-1 at sepsis onset (952.1 ± 248.2 vs. 684.6 ± 204.7 μg/L, p < 0.001) and 1 week after (1051.8 ± 242 vs. 908.4 ± 189.8 μg/L, p < 0.01). Patients with sepsis and survivors presented higher kinetics than those with septic shock and nonsurvivors (Δ(omentin-1)% 39.8 ± 35.9% vs. 20.2 ± 23.3%, p = 0.01, and 39.4 ± 34.3% vs. 13.3 ± 18.1%, p < 0.001, respectively). Higher omentin-1 at sepsis onset and 1 week after was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality (HR 2.26, 95% C.I. 1.21-4.19, p = 0.01 and HR: 2.15, 95% C.I. 1.43-3.22, p < 0.001, respectively). Finally, omentin-1 was significantly correlated with the severity scores, the white blood cells, coagulation biomarkers, and CRP, but not procalcitonin and other inflammatory biomarkers. Conclusions: Serum omentin-1 is increased in sepsis, while higher levels and lower kinetics during the first week of sepsis are associated with the severity and 28-day mortality of sepsis. Omentin-1 may be a promising biomarker of sepsis. However, more studies are needed to explore its role in sepsis.

The Modulation of Adipokines, Adipomyokines, and Sleep Disorders on Carcinogenesis

Obesity and sarcopenia, i.e., decreased skeletal muscle mass and function, are global health challenges. Moreover, people with obesity and sedentary lifestyles often have sleep disorders. Despite the potential associations, metabolic disturbances linking obesity, sarcopenia, and sleep disorders with cancer are neither well-defined nor understood fully. Abnormal levels of adipokines and adipomyokines originating from both adipose tissue and skeletal muscles are observed in some patients with obesity, sarcopenia and sleep disorders, as well as in cancer patients. This warrants investigation with respect to carcinogenesis. Adipokines and adipomyokines may exert either pro-carcinogenic or anti-carcinogenic effects. These factors, acting independently or together, may significantly modulate the incidence and progression of cancer. This review indicates that one of the possible pathways influencing the development of cancer may be the mutual relationship between obesity and/or sarcopenia, sleep quantity and quality, and adipokines/adipomyokines excretion. Taking into account the high proportion of persons with obesity and sedentary lifestyles, as well as the associations of these conditions with sleep disturbances, more attention should be paid to the individual and combined effects on cancer pathophysiology.

Perspectives and Challenges of COVID-19 with Obesity-Related Cancers

The emergence of COVID-19 has created an unprecedented threat worldwide, involving overwhelmed health-care systems in the majority of countries [...]

Correlation of serum omentin-1 level with clinical features and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Omentin-1 shows a critical protective role of cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to further assess serum omentin-1 level and its relationship with clinical features and accumulating major adverse cardiac/cerebral events (MACCE) risk in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD-ESRD). Totally, 290 CAPD-ESRD patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited, and their serum omentin-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All CAPD-ESRD patients were followed up for 36 months to assess accumulating MACCE rate. Omentin-1 level in CAPD-ESRD patients was lower than that in HCs [median (interquartile range): 229.350 (153.575-355.550) vs. 449.800 (354.125-527.450) pg/mL] (p < 0.001). Moreover, omentin-1 level was inversely related to C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.028), total cholesterol (p = 0.023), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.005), while there was no correlation in omentin-1 level with other clinical features in CAPD-ESRD patients. The accumulating MACCE rate was 4.5%, 13.1%, and 15.5% in the first, second, and third years respectively, and it was lower in CAPD-ESRD patients with high level of omentin-1 than those with low level of omentin-1 (p = 0.004). Furthermore, omentin-1 (hazard ratio (HR)=0.422, p = 0.013) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HR = 0.396, p = 0.010) were independently associated with reduced accumulating MACCE rate; while age (HR = 3.034, p = 0.006), peritoneal dialysis duration (HR = 2.741, p = 0.006), CRP (HR = 2.289, p = 0.026), serum uric acid (HR = 2.538, p = 0.008) were independently related to higher accumulating MACCE rate in CAPD-ESRD patients. In conclusion, serum high omentin-1 level is associated with decreased inflammation, lipid levels, and accumulating MACCE risk in CAPD-ESRD patients.

Concentration of Selected Adipokines and Factors Regulating Carbohydrate Metabolism in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer in Respect to Their Body Mass Index

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are a group of tumors not common in European populations. So far, not much is known about the role of obesity, adipokines, glucose metabolism, and inflammation in the pathogenesis of HNC. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of ghrelin, omentin-1, adipsin, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, glucagon, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) in the blood serum of HNC patients depending on their body mass index (BMI). The study included 46 patients divided into two groups according to their BMI values: the normal BMI group (nBMI) included 23 patients with BMI < 25 kg/m² and the increased BMI group (iBMI) included patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². A control group (CG) included 23 healthy people (BMI < 25 kg/m²). Statistically significant differences in the levels of adipsin, ghrelin, glucagon, PAI-1, and visfatin were shown between nBMI and CG. In the case of nBMI and iBMI, statistically significant differences were observed in the concentrations of adiponectin, C-peptide, ghrelin, GLP-1, insulin, leptin, omentin-1, PAI-1, resistin, and visfatin. The obtained results indicate a disruption of endocrine function of adipose tissue and impaired glucose metabolism in HNC. Obesity, which is not a typical risk factor for HNC, may aggravate the negative metabolic changes associated with this type of neoplasm. Ghrelin, visfatin, PAI-1, adipsin, and glucagon might be related to head and neck carcinogenesis. They seem to be promising directions for further research.

Potential Value of Visfatin, Omentin-1, Nesfatin-1 and Apelin in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal genitourinary malignancy. Obesity is a risk factor for RCC development. The role of adipokines in the relationship between obesity and RCC requires confirmatory evidence in the form of a systematic review and meta-analysis, specifically for visfatin, omentin-1, nesfatin-1 and apelin. A search of databases up to July 2022 (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) for studies reporting the association of these selected adipokines with RCC was conducted. A total of 13 studies fulfilled the selection criteria. Only visfatin (p < 0.05) and nesfatin-1 (p < 0.05) had a significant association with RCC. Meanwhile, apelin and omentin-1 showed no association with RCC. The meta-analysis results of nesfatin-1 showed no association with early-stage (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = −0.12−0.29, p = 0.41), late-stage (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.07−1.89, p = 0.23) and low-grade (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 0.37−8.27, p = 0.48) RCC. However, nesfatin-1 showed an association with a high grade of the disease (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.13−0.61, p = 0.001) and poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 3.86, 95% CI = 2.18−6.85; p < 0.01). Apelin showed no association with the risk of RCC development (mean difference = 21.15, 95% CI = −23.69−65.99, p = 0.36) and OS (HR = 1.04, 95% Cl = 0.45−2.41; p = 0.92). Although the number of studies evaluated was limited, analysis from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that visfatin and nesfatin-1 were elevated. In summary, these adipokines may play a role in the development and progression of RCC and hence may have potential diagnostic and prognostic capabilities for RCC.

Lower circulating omentin-1 is independently linked to subclinical hypothyroidism reflecting cardiometabolic risk: an observational case-control and interventional, longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Omentin-1, a newly discovered adipokine, is implicated in the modulation of the adipose phenotype, ameliorating systemic metabolism and exhibiting anti-atherogenic, anti-oxidative, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. Our goal was to explore circulating omentin-1 in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and determine its correlations with cardiometabolic risk factors.

METHODS

In a large case-control and interventional longitudinal study, serum omentin-1, metabolic and lipid parameters, inflammatory biomarkers, classic adipocytokines and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 120 consecutive patients with SH and 120 healthy controls matched on age, gender and date of blood draw. Sixteen patients with SH were administered L-T4 and, after six months, circulating omentin-1 and other biomarkers were determined.

RESULTS

SH subjects presented significantly decreased circulating omentin-1 than control individuals (P<0.001). In all study participants, omentin-1 was negatively correlated with TSH, anti-thyroid antibodies, HOMA-IR, C-peptide, lipid and inflammatory biomarkers, adipokines and cardiovascular risk factors, including Framingham score and apolipoprotein B. Omentin-1 was positively associated with adiponectin and HDL-C. Circulating omentin-1 was independently associated with SH occurrence, above and beyond clinical and cardiometabolic factors (P=0.04). TSH was a negative independent predictor of serum omentin-1 levels (P<0.001). L-T4 treatment did not alter considerably the lower omentin-1 levels in treated SH patients (P=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Omentin-1 may be a useful non-invasive biomarker reflecting cardiometabolic risk as well as a promising therapeutic target. More mechanistic and larger prospective studies shedding light on the pathogenetic role of omentin-1 in SH are required to confirm these findings.

Adipose tissue-to-breast cancer crosstalk: Comprehensive insights

The review focuses on mechanistic evidence for the link between obesity and breast cancer. According to the IARC study, there is sufficient evidence that obesity is closely related to a variety of cancers. Among them, breast cancer is particularly disturbed by adipose tissue due to the unique histological structure of the breast. The review introduces the relationship between obesity and breast cancer from two aspects, including factors that promote tumorigenesis or metastasis. We summarize alterations in adipokines and metabolic pathways that contribute to breast cancer development. Breast cancer metastasis is closely related to obesity-induced pro-inflammatory microenvironment, adipose stem cells, and miRNAs. Based on the mechanism by which obesity causes breast cancer, we list possible therapeutic directions, including reducing the risk of breast cancer and inhibiting the progression of breast cancer. We also discussed the risk of autologous breast remodeling and fat transplantation. Finally, the causes of the obesity paradox and the function of enhancing immunity are discussed. Evaluating the balance between obesity-induced inflammation and enhanced immunity warrants further study.

Of mice and men: Considerations on adipose tissue physiology in animal models of obesity and human studies

The ever-increasing burden of obesity demands a better pathophysiological understanding, especially regarding adipose tissue pathophysiology. Animal models of obesity are of great importance in investigating potential mechanisms and implications of obesity. Many issues should be considered while interpreting the preclinical results as anatomical and pathophysiological differences exist among species. Importantly, the natural history of obesity development differs considerably. An important example of conflicting results among preclinical models and human physiological studies is that of adipose tissue oxygenation, where rodent models almost unanimously have shown the presence of hypoxia in the adipose tissue of obese animals while human studies have yielded conflicting results to date. Other issues which require further clarification before generalizing preclinical data in humans include adipose tissue browning, endocrine function and fibrosis. The aim of this mini-review is to synopsize similarities and differences between rodent models and humans, which should be taken into consideration in obesity studies.

Adipocytokines and disease progression in endometrial cancer: a systematic review

The objective of the study was to document the effect of adipocytokines on endometrial cancer progression. A search of the databases CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar was performed for English language articles from January 2000 to December 2020 using the keywords: (Endometrial cancer) AND (progression OR metastasis) AND (adipocytokine OR adiponectin OR leptin OR visfatin OR IL-6 OR TNF-α OR adipokine OR cytokine). Forty-nine studies on adipocytokines have been included in this review. Adiponectin has been linked with anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects on endometrial cancer cells and is associated with a better prognosis. Leptin, visfatin and resistin are linked to the stimulation of endometrial cancer growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis and are associated with worse prognosis or with a higher grade/stage of endometrial cancer. IL-6, Il-11, IL-31, IL-33, TNF-α, TGF-β1, SDF-1 and CXCR are involved in endometrial cancer cell growth and metastasis or involved in epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) or associated with advanced disease. Adipocytokines have been found to directly impact endometrial cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. These molecules and their signalling pathways may be used to determine prognosis and course of the disease and may also be exploited as potential targets for cancer treatment and prevention of progression.

SARS-CoV-2 adipose tissue infection and hyperglycemia: A further step towards the understanding of severe COVID-19

Numerous studies have highlighted the prognostic significance of hyperglycemia in the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A number of mechanisms have been proposed as potential drivers of this association, which were, however, up until recently based rather on speculation than on investigational evidence. It has been recently come to light that the development of insulin resistance in the frame of COVID-19 is likely the driving force behind the development of overt hyperglycemia. This results through the infectious insult of the adipose tissue, and is observed in conjunction with aberrant adipokine secretion by host adipocytes, such as decreased adiponectin, as well as a switch towards an antiviral immune secretory profile. These data could have a considerable relevance not only for the management of hyperglycemia in the course of the infection but also for the overall understanding of the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19.