The Impact of Obesity on Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Purpose of Review Obesity is a recognized risk factor for the development of breast cancer and recurrence even when patients are treated appropriately. We reviewed the literature that addresses the impact of obesity on diagnosis and the individual therapeutic interventions, and present a summary of the findings. Recent Findings Compared to non-obese women with breast cancer, obese women with breast cancer have a worse disease-free and overall survival despite appropriate local and systemic therapies. In brief, obese breast cancer patients experience more complications related to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Further, obese patients are at increased risk for local recurrence compared to normal-weight women. Similarly, systemic chemotherapy is less effective, even when dosed appropriately on the basis of actual weight. Overall, endocrine therapy is less effective in obese women, and there is a suggestion that aromatase inhibitors may be selectively less effective than tamoxifen. Obese women are less likely to undergo breast reconstruction than normal-weight women, and those who do have surgery experience more surgical complications. Summary The efficacy of cancer treatments is significantly lower in obese breast cancer survivors, posing greater challenges in patient care and disease management in this patient population. Further investigations are warranted to assess the effects on treatment outcomes and optimize therapeutic mechanisms in order to successfully target breast cancer associated with obesity.

Inhibition of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway suppresses the adipocyte-mediated proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells

“…However, the pathway and the inhibitor BEZ235 has not been analyzed in the context of heterotypic interactions between breast cancer cells and adipocytes, which are main cellular components especially in obese conditions. A recent review noticed that the efficacy of cancer treatments is significantly lower in obese breast cancer patients [32]. Our results in the present study suggest that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is crucial in the adipocyte-mediated breast cancer progression and that dual inhibitors targeting PI3K and mTOR such as BEZ235 could be a good option to inhibit the obesity-breast cancer link.…”

Hormonal Therapy Resistance and Breast Cancer: Involvement of Adipocytes and Leptin

“…Unfortunately, de novo or acquired resistance could be developed, leading to disease progression and increased mortality, which could be amplified in overweight women [9]. Some authors demonstrated that aromatase inhibitors may be less efficient than tamoxifen in overweight and obese patients [10]. Tx resistance seems to be multifactorial with, for example, the lack of ER function or disruption of signaling pathways (RTK, PI3K, NF-kB) [11].…”

Total Dietary Fats, Fatty Acids, and Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio as Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in the Polish Population – a Case-Control Study

“…Increasing the consumption of these products while limiting vegetable oils, full-fat milk products, and red meat should be the foundation of the diet of every woman who cares about her health (50). It is also worth noting that a diet taking into account an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids is also an element of prevention of obesity, which is not only a disease in itself, but is also an important risk factor for cancer -including breast cancer (51). Similar to many previous studies, the results of our analysis indicate a protective (in relation to breast cancer) effect of normal body weight.…”