Roles of adiponectin and leptin as diagnostic markers in pancreatic cancer

Obesity is one of the most serious public health problem worldwide. Adipose tissue synthetize and secrete many growth factors and several cytokines known as adipokines. Studies demonstrated changes in the levels of these adipokines in many types of cancer associated with obesity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between adiponectin and leptin levels with pancreas cancer and disease stage, representative of Turkish population.

The study was conducted between April 2012 - November 2013. Study included 46 patients - 46 control subjects, who had pancreatic carcinoma. Results between the patients and the control group and relationship between the disease stage and results were evaluated.

The comparison of preoperative adiponectin and leptin levels of the study group with the levels of the control group showed that there was no correlation with adiponectin and pancreas cancer. In contrast, leptin levels in the study group were significantly lower than in the control group. There was no correlation between the disease stage and adiponectin and leptin levels.

There was a significant correlation between low leptin levels and pancreatic cancer, while adiponectin had no correlation. Differential diagnosis of pancreas cancer can be made by evaluating low leptin levels with elevated tumor markers (Tab. 3, Ref. 17).