Abstract
Repositories of visceral adipocytes, such as the omentum, have historically been regarded as accessory organs, providing insulation, mechanical, and/or nutritional support. However, the discovery of key adipokines and immune mediators within visceral adipocytes has precipitated revisiting and redefining the traditional function of the visceral adipose tissue, particularly as adipocytes relate to cancer development and progression. Parallel studies of the biology of adipocytes in obesity and cancer have also identified perturbations in cellular homeostasis with an imbalance of secreted adipokines tipped in favor of inflammation within the microenvironment as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and its master regulator, the glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78). These proteins are detectable in peripheral circulation and may provide insight into tumor biology and prognosis. Given the strong link between adiposity and endometrial cancer, evaluating these adipocyte-derived factors in the context may reveal a useful tool to aid clinical decisions. This chapter reviews several biomarker candidates emanating from adipocytes and the biological basis for their role in endometrial cancer.
Abbreviations
- AMPK:
-
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
- BMI:
-
Body Mass Index
- cAMP:
-
Cyclic AMP
- COX-2:
-
Cyclooxygenase-2
- CT:
-
Computed Tomography
- EAC:
-
Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma
- ER:
-
Endoplasmic Reticulum
- FABP4:
-
Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4
- GPER:
-
G protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor
- GRP78:
-
Glucose-Regulated Protein 78
- HMW:
-
High Molecular Weight
- IGF:
-
Insulin Growth Factor
- IGFBP:
-
Insulin Growth Factor-Binding Protein
- IRS:
-
Insulin Receptor Substrate
- JNK:
-
c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase
- LMW:
-
Low Molecular Weight
- MCP-1:
-
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1
- MMW:
-
Medium Molecular Weight
- mTOR:
-
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin
- NF-κB:
-
Nuclear Factor κB
- PPAR-α:
-
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α
- PPAR-γ:
-
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ
- SOCS-3:
-
Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling-3
- STAT-3:
-
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3
- UCP1:
-
Uncoupling Protein 1
- UPR:
-
Unfolded Protein Response
- VEGF:
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Han, L.Y., Lin, Y.G. (2015). Use of Visceral Adipocyte Biomarkers in Endometrial Cancer. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Biomarkers in Cancer. Biomarkers in Disease: Methods, Discoveries and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7681-4_28
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