Obesity, bone marrow adiposity, and leukemia: Time to act

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Obesity is a global pandemic linked to low-grade systemic inflammation.
• Chronic inflammation and obesity are associated with increased cancer risk, particularly blood cancers.
• Individuals with obesity face higher risks and poorer outcomes for blood cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how obesity-associated changes in bone marrow (BM) adiposity influence leukemia development.
• To understand the mechanisms linking obesity, BM adiposity, and altered immune cell function in leukemia.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews existing evidence on obesity's impact on bone marrow adiposity and immune cell dynamics.
• It explores how increased BM adiposity creates a pro-inflammatory, leukemia-supportive environment.
• Mechanisms of obesity-induced alterations in lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis are discussed.

Main Results:

• Obesity increases bone marrow adiposity, creating a pro-inflammatory environment that supports clonal hematopoiesis and leukemia.
• Obesity dysregulates myeloid and lymphoid immune cell functions, increasing susceptibility to hematological malignancies.
• Altered immune cell generation and function due to obesity impact leukemia predisposition and severity.

Conclusions:

• Obesity-induced changes in bone marrow adiposity and immune function are critical factors in leukemia development and progression.
• These factors influence an individual's susceptibility and the severity of leukemia.
• Considering obesity's role is vital for managing leukemia patients effectively.