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Circulating adiponectin and endometrial cancer risk
Luigino Dal Maso1, Livia S A Augustin, Aspasia Karalis
1Servizio di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano 33081, Italy. epidemiology@cro.it
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|March 6, 2004
Summary
Higher adiponectin (a hormone that improves insulin sensitivity) levels are linked to a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. This inverse association was observed in women with higher adiponectin, independent of body mass index.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing hormone, has lower circulating levels in obesity and hyperinsulinemia.
- Obesity and hyperinsulinemia are established risk factors for endometrial cancer.
- Understanding adiponectin's role may elucidate endometrial cancer pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating adiponectin levels and endometrial cancer risk.
- To explore potential modifying effects of menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), and parity.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study including 87 incident endometrial cancer cases and 132 controls.
- Blood samples collected for adiponectin level measurement using radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Statistical analysis to determine odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for endometrial cancer risk across adiponectin tertiles.
Main Results:
- Inverse association observed between plasma adiponectin levels and endometrial cancer risk (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.94 for highest vs. lowest tertile).
- Similar inverse association found for serum adiponectin (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.14-0.68).
- Association was stronger in premenopausal women; BMI and adiponectin demonstrated independent risk effects.
Conclusions:
- Lower circulating adiponectin levels are associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
- Adiponectin may play a protective role, independent of BMI and parity.
- Findings suggest adiponectin as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for endometrial cancer.