Obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a new study that found fat surrounding the prostate of overweight men provides a favorable environment that promotes tumor growth.
The new research, published in the BioMed Central journal BMC Medicine, suggests weight – and weight loss – may influence the development and virulence of prostate cancer in some men.
"In an increasingly obese population, understanding how fat, especially the fat surrounding the prostate, can influence the growth and severity of prostate cancer may provide an opportunity for implementing personalized lifestyle and therapeutic strategies," said Dr. Ricardo Ribeiro, who helped lead the international research team that conducted the study.
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Researchers noted fat cells secrete a wide range of growth factors, cytokines and hormones, including leptin and adiponectin, and play a role in the immune system, which protects the body from infection and disease. But too much fat can increase risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
For the new study, investigators analyzed fat, from around the prostate, taken from patients undergoing surgery for prostate cancer and enlarged prostates. The men were also classified as being either lean or overweight /obese.
The results showed overweight men had abnormal levels of gene activity in the fat surrounding their prostates – including genes tied to immunity and inflammation, cell growth, fat metabolism, and programmed cell death.
Additionally the activity of more genes was altered between hyperplasia and prostate cancer, and between cancer and non-confined cancer, suggesting a gradual increase in dysregulation during cancer progression.
“Taken together with the abnormal activity levels of other genes they will ultimately foster fat mass growth, reduce immune surveillance, and promote the formation of new blood vessels, so producing a favorable environment for prostate cancer progression," said co-researcher Gema Frühbeck.
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