Inverse association of leptin levels with renal cell carcinoma: Results from a case-control study

Abstract

oBJECTIVE: Leptin is primarily produced in adipose tissue and appears to play a modulatory role between metabolism and immunity. Given that obesity, a state of chronic inflammation, is an established risk factor for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), we investigated the association between plasma leptin levels and RCC risk. DESIGN: This case-control study included 70 patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed RCC and 280 age-, gender-and district of residence-matched controls. Anthropometric data, socio-demographic variables, medical history, lifestyle habits and dietary data were derived from a personal interview. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined using standard commercial kits. Adjusted odds ratios for RCC risk were derived through multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Leptin levels were inversely associated with RCC risk (oR: 0.53, CI: 0.28-0.99, p = 0.05), even after controlling for potential confounding factors, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), recent weight change, history of diabetes mellitus and other obesity related hormones, notably adiponectin. CoNCLUSIoNS: The precise mechanism linking obesity with RCC remains unclear; however, the inverse association of leptin with RCC might be attributed, at least in part, to hormonal cross-talk with complex neuron-endocrine and immune circuits. These findings, if confirmed in prospective and interventional studies, might further elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Co-existence of chronic renal failure, renal clear cell carcinoma, and Blau syndrome

“…Obesity is associated with high levels of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and leptin levels. It has also been reported that the proinflammatory state of obesity may induce an attenuated response of immune competent cells [23]. Consequently, excessive activation of the mutated NOD2 gene and the increased production of inflammatory mediators result in inadequate immune responses in patients with BS.…”

Association of leptin, visfatin, apelin, resistin and adiponectin with clear cell renal cell carcinoma

“…To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to identify a difference in visfatin and apelin expression levels in CC-RCC and control tissues. Furthermore, several studies have reported a difference in leptin, resistin and adiponectin serum levels in CC-RCC tissues (23,24). However, the physiological role of leptin and adiponectin in CC-RCC remains controversial.…”

“…Leptin is a multifunctional peptide hormone that regulates energy expenditure (25), promotes proliferation (26) and angiogenesis (27), and inhibits cell apoptosis (28). Studies have demonstrated that leptin levels are higher in lung cancer (15), breast cancer (29) and RCC (30), whilst other studies have reported that serum leptin levels are inversely associated with RCC risk (23) or are not significantly associated with RCC (24,31). These contradictory results, and the serum level features, suggest that further investigation is required.…”

Immunotherapy of Genitourinary Malignancies

“…Spyridopoulos et al reported that levels of leptin, which is produced in adipose tissue and plays a modulatory role between metabolism and immunity, were inversely associated with RCC risk [19]. Adipose tissue produces a variety of inflammatory factors, including leptin, adiponectin, as well as cytokines.…”