Adipose tissue inflammation and cancer cachexia: the role of steroid hormones

Adipose tissue inflammation plays a role in the etiology of many chronic diseases, and has been the focus of much attention in the context of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Similarly, during cancer cachexia, a syndrome that markedly increases cancer-associated morbidity and mortality, local adipose inflammation is reported in animal models and in patients, potentially contributing to the chronic systemic inflammation that constitutes the hallmark of this condition. We discuss, on the basis of information generated by obesity-related studies, the possible relation between adipose tissue inflammation and compromised steroid hormone secretion and action in cachexia.