More likely to relapse after treatment, a poorer prognosis … breast cancers are more aggressive among overweight women, but until then we can explain it. But two French research teams are to elucidate this mystery.
In addition to these deleterious effects on cardiovascular health and the onset of diabetes, obesity may play a role in the prognosis of breast cancer, especially its ability to spread to other organs. This statistical relationship is to find a physiological explanation by two research teams bringing together researchers from INSERM, CNRS and Université Paul Sabatier.
An interaction between adipocytes and breast tumor
The outer part of the breast is mainly composed of fatty tissue, itself largely composed of adipocytes. These cells are capable, in addition to their storage / release of fat to secrete many proteins. The researchers investigated whether these proteins play a role in the development of breast cancer.
To do this, teams Philippe Valet at the Institute of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (Inserm / Université Paul Sabatier) and Catherine Muller at the Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (CNRS / Université Paul Sabatier) cells were grown together mammary tumor and adipocytes.
In the presence of tumor cells, adipocytes change and show a change in the secretion of some of their proteins, including inflammatory proteins such as interleukin 6. Gradually, these cells establish effective interaction with the tumor, which leads to an increase in its “colonization potential”, so its aggressiveness.
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