The Role of Adipose Tissue in Cancer: Mechanisms of Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Implications

Adipose tissue biology has undergone a paradigm shift, revealing this tissue as a highly dynamic and metabolically active organ that is central to both health and disease. Increasingly, research has focused on its ability to influence systemic metabolism and facilitate inter-organ communication through the secretion of a range of bioactive molecules, such as adipokines and cytokines. This molecular dialogue not only supports physiological regulation but also plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of pathological states, particularly cancer. While historically viewed as a passive energy store, adipose tissue is now recognized as a key player in modulating tumor biology, with evidence highlighting how obesity-induced adipose tissue dysfunction exacerbates the risk, aggressiveness, and poor outcomes of various cancers.Recent studies have documented that adipose tissue interacts with tumor cells via both metabolic and paracrine mechanisms. White, brown, and beige adipose tissue subtypes each display distinct functional profiles in this context. Notably, white adipose tissue mobilizes free fatty acids and other nutrients, fueling tumor growth and survival, while dysregulated adipokine and cytokine production, characteristic of obesity and chronic inflammation, further drives tumor-promoting signaling pathways. Ongoing investigations underscore the significance of the adipose tissue–tumor axis in shaping the tumor microenvironment, impacting both the initiation and treatment response of malignancies. However, many mechanistic details of these complex interactions are still poorly understood, and there is an urgent need for integrative research to clarify the precise contributions of adipose tissue heterogeneity and its secretome to cancer risk and progression.This Research Topic aims to elucidate the multifaceted roles of adipose tissue in cancer pathogenesis, exploring both the mechanistic underpinnings and clinical implications of adipose–tumor crosstalk in physiological and obese states. We seek to foster a comprehensive understanding of adipokine signaling, metabolic exchanges, and inflammatory processes that mediate the association between dysfunctional adipose tissue and tumor development or therapy resistance. By addressing unresolved questions and highlighting therapeutic opportunities, this Research Topic invites contributions that can bridge biological insight with translational advances.To gather further insights into the interactions between adipose tissue and cancer, as well as their implications in obesity-driven malignancies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Mechanisms by which adipose tissue subtypes influence tumor progression.- Metabolic crosstalk and the role of lipid transfer in cancer cell survival.- Adipokines and cytokines in the modulation of tumor microenvironment and therapy response. - Impact of obesity-induced adipose tissue dysfunction on cancer risk and prognosis.- Novel therapeutic strategies targeting adipose–tumor communication.- Clinical and epidemiological evidence linking adipose biology and cancer outcomes.Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases that are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of the scope of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Serena Castelli, Paula Guedes De Pinho, Jessica Lamberti Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82025/the-role-of-adipose-tissue-in-cancer-mechanisms-of-tumor-progression-and-therapeutic-implications