Association of Adiponectin Receptors with Metabolic and Immune Homeostasis Parameters in Colorectal Cancer: In Silico Analysis and Observational Findings

Beyond Body Size: Adiponectin as a Key Player in Obesity-Driven Cancers

Obesity, a complex and multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, has reached epidemic proportions globally, posing a significant health challenge. In addition to its established association with cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for various cancers. However, the precise biological mechanisms linking obesity and cancer remain largely understood. Adipose tissue, an active endocrine organ, produces numerous hormones and bioactive molecules known as adipokines, which play a crucial role in metabolism, immune responses, and systemic inflammation. Notably, adiponectin (APN), the principal adipocyte secretory protein, exhibits reduced expression levels in obesity. In this scoping review, we explore and discuss the role of APN in influencing cancer in common malignancies, including lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, gastric, and endometrial cancers. Our review aims to emphasize the critical significance of investigating this field, as it holds great potential for the development of innovative treatment strategies that specifically target obesity-related malignancies. Furthermore, the implementation of more rigorous and comprehensive prevention and treatment policies for obesity is imperative in order to effectively mitigate the risk of associated diseases, such as cancer.

Distinct roles of ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2: A pan-cancer analysis

INTRODUCTION

AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 proteins, encoded by ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 genes respectively, are the receptors of adiponectin secrected by adipose tissue. Increasing studies have identified the vital role of adipose tissue in various diseases, including cancers. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore the roles of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in cancers.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis for the roles of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 via several public databases, including expression differences, prognostic value, and the correlations with tumor microenvironment, epigenetic modification, and drug sensitivity.

RESULTS

Both ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 genes are dysregulated in most cancers, but their genomic alteration frequencies are low. In addition, they are also correlated with the prognosis of some cancers. Although they are not strongly correlated with tumor mutation burden (TMB) or microsatellite instability (MSI), ADIPOR1/2 genes display a significant association with cancer stemness, tumor immune microenvironment, immune checkpoint genes (especially CD274 and NRP1), and drug sensitivity.

DISCUSSION

ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 play critical roles in diverse cancers, and it is a potential strategy to treat tumors through targeting ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2.