Breast adipose tissue is not just an energy store, but an active endocrine tissue that influences carcinogenesis through:
Increased estrogen production: After menopause, adipose tissue becomes a major source of estrogen, enhancing the growth of hormone-dependent breast cancers.
Obesity causes an inflammatory response in adipose tissue, with increased secretion of cytokines, which activate pathways, promoting carcinogenesis.
Obesity increases leptin and decreases adiponectin, disrupting the balance that regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Adipose tissue and breast cancer metastasis
Adipose tissue contributes to metastasis through interaction with cancer cells. Adipocytes secrete factors that enhance the motility and aggressiveness of cancer cells and the creation of hypoxic conditions that promote angiogenesis and metastasis.
Inflammation in adipose tissue affects the immune response, facilitating the spread of cancer.
Recent scientific developments in studies show that obesity reduces the activity of a factor that suppresses metastasis, thereby enhancing the aggressiveness of cancer.
The chronic inflammation caused by obesity may affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy, particularly in triple-negative breast cancers.
Pharmaceutical interventions targeting aromatase and inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue are being developed to prevent and treat breast cancer.
Prevention and risk reduction strategies
Weight loss can reduce estrogen levels and inflammation, reducing the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence.
Regular exercise improves metabolic profile and reduces inflammation, contributing to prevention.
A diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fat can help regulate body weight and reduce risk.