Obesity and Cancer: Update on Etiology, Molecular Biomarkers and Biotargets, Clinical Strategies, and Epidemiology - Volume II

Given the success of the first edition, we are pleased to announce the second volume of the Research Topic "Obesity and Cancer: Update on Etiology, Molecular Biomarkers and Biotargets, Clinical Strategies, and Epidemiology". Please find the first edition here.Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of 13 types of cancer. Both human and animal studies validated the link between obesity and cancer, highlighting the role of lifestyle factors in tumor prevention. Dietary patterns have been directly associated with increased or decreased cancer risk and epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of physical activity and muscle function in cancer risk or prevention. Importantly, gender-specific differences related to genetic and lifestyle factors are known cancer risk factors and have been observed in tumor incidence, localization, and response to treatment as well as body fat storage/distribution and lifestyle. In addition, a better understanding of the regional differences in obesity prevalence and cancer risks might provide guidance on the most promising prevention and intervention strategies.Increasing evidence link the occurrence of cancer in obese and overweight patients to long-lasting inflammation and higher than normal levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and sex hormones. Given the rise of both obesity and cancer worldwide, it is essential to understand the link between obesity and cancer etiology. Besides inflammation, physiological functions and pathological correlations of proteins intimately involved in the general metabolism of adipose tissue and the relevance of those compounds to cell proliferation or development could contribute to abnormal proliferation and migration leading to oncogenesis. Nevertheless, new biological pathways are still to be uncovered and could lead to new perspectives and targets for therapies.The recent adoption of novel obesity pharmacotherapies, particularly compounds targeting nutrient-stimulated hormonal pathways (NuSH), such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, has generated a substantial body of evidence that may help clarify how pharmacologically induced weight loss affects cancer development, progression, and treatment outcomes. However, several important questions remain unanswered. These include whether the reductions in cancer risk observed after bariatric surgery extend to pharmacological weight loss; whether incretin signaling has direct effects on tumor biology independent of adiposity; how these therapies interact with systemic anticancer treatments; and what consequences the rapid loss of lean mass may have for patients undergoing cancer treatment. A rigorous, evidence-based review of this emerging field is therefore needed, and we particularly welcome contributions addressing these questions.This Research Topic will provide a comprehensive overview on the link between obesity and cancer risk. Topic Editors welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles covering:• New signaling pathways linking obesity and cancer;• New biomarkers in obesity-related cancer;• Novel biotargets in obesity-related cancers;• Obesity and the efficacy of cancer therapies;• The impact of medical weight loss, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and related NuSH therapies, on cancer development, progression, and treatment outcomes;• Prospective interventions and treatments targeting the obesity-cancer link;• Global epidemiology of obesity-related cancer onset and progression.Dr. Eva Surmacz is Senior Advisor for Allysta Pharmaceuticals in roles not related to the topic edited. She is holder of patents Adiponectin receptor agonists and methods of use US 6147453 and Leptin agonist and methods of use US 61067376.Dr. Michaela R. Reagan has funding from Genentech, 1 provisional patent on FABP5 and myeloma. Topic editors: Eva Surmacz, PhD, Valentina Guarnotta, Michaela Ruth Reagan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85567/obesity-and-cancer-update-on-etiology-molecular-biomarkers-and-biotargets-clinical-strategies-and-epidemiology---volume-ii