Interaction between adipose tissue and cancer cells: role for cancer progression

Environment surrounding tumours are now recognized to play an important role in tumour development and progression. Among the cells found in the tumour environment, adipocytes from adipose tissue establish a vicious cycle with cancer cells to promote cancer survival, proliferation, metastasis and treatment resistance. This cycle is particularly of interest in the context of obesity, which has been found as a cancer risk factor. Cancers cells can reprogram adipocyte physiology leading to an "activated" phenotype characterized by delipidation and secretion of inflammatory adipokines. The adipocyte secretions then influence tumour growth and metastasis which has been mainly attributed to interleukin 6 (IL-6) or leptin but also to the release of fatty acids which are able to change cancer cell metabolism and signalling pathways. The aim of this review is to report recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking adipose tissue with cancer progression in order to propose new therapeutic strategies based on pharmacological or nutritional intervention.