Body fat content, body weight, Leptin, increased aromatase expression
 

Possible reason why body fat content and body weight may be implicated in fuelling BC.

RB

http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/full/278/31/28668


Abstract

Leptin Enhances, via AP-1, Expression of Aromatase in the MCF-7 Cell Line*


"Leptin, a product of adipocytes, is involved in the regulation of body weight and results strongly correlated to body fat content. An excess of fat mass represents a breast cancer risk factor particularly in postmenopausal women, where estrogen production by adipose tissue through its own aromatase activity stimulates tumor progression. Leptin stimulates estrogen production through the increase of aromatase expression and activity in human luteinized granulosa cells and adipose stromal cells. In the present study, we have examined the possible link that exists between leptin and breast cancer, focusing our attention on the direct effect of leptin on aromatase activity, which may enhance estrogen production and induce tumor cell growth stimulation."