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Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Modeling Breast Cancer in Human Breast Tissue using a Microphysiological System
Published on: April 23, 2021
Obesity and leptin in breast cancer angiogenesis
Courtney B Lagarde1,2, Kapil Thapa3, Nicole M Cullen1,2
1Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States.
Abstract:
At the time of breast cancer diagnosis, most patients meet the diagnostic criteria to be classified as obese or overweight. This can significantly impact patient outcome: breast cancer patients with obesity (body mass index > 30) have a poorer prognosis compared to patients with a lean BMI. Obesity is associated with hyperleptinemia, and leptin is a well-established driver of metastasis in breast cancer. However, the effect of hyperleptinemia on angiogenesis in breast cancer is less well-known. Angiogenesis is an important process in breast cancer because it is essential for tumor growth beyond 1mm3 in size as well as cancer cell circulation and metastasis. This review investigates the role of leptin in regulating angiogenesis, specifically within the context of breast cancer and the associated tumor microenvironment in obese patients.
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