Obesity as a risk factor for multiple myeloma: insight on the role of adipokines

Pathol Oncol Res. 2023 Aug 10:29:1611338. doi: 10.3389/pore.2023.1611338. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic disorder characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Genetic and environmental factors are contributed to the etiology of MM. Notably, studies have shown that obesity increases the risk of MM and worsens outcomes for MM patients. Adipokines play an important role in mediating the close association between MM and metabolic derangements. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic studies to show that the risk of MM is increased in obese. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that adipokines could display a correlation with MM. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that adipokines are linked to MM, including roles in the biological behavior of MM cells, cancer-associated bone loss, the progression of MM, and drug resistance. Current and potential therapeutic strategies targeted to adipokines are discussed, proposing that adipokines can guide early patient diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: adipokine; adiponectin; leptin; multiple myeloma; obesity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma* / etiology
  • Obesity / complications
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Adipokines

Grants and funding

This review was funded by National Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hematological System Diseases, grant number “2021WWA01,” the Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurshio Project of Lanzhou, grant number “2020-RC-48” and the Cuiying Scientific and Technological Innovation Program of Lanzhou University Second Hospital, grant number “CY2017-ZD04, CY2019-MS14.”