Leptin — From regulation of fat metabolism to stimulation of breast cancer growth

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Abstract
Leptin restricts intake of calories as a satiety hormone. It probably stimulates neoplastic proliferation in breast cancer, too. Growth of malignant cells could be regulated by various leptininduced second messengers like STAT3 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 3), AP-1 (transcription activator protein 1), MAPK (mitogenactivated protein kinase) and ERKs (extracellular signalregulated kinases). They seem to be involved in aromatase expression, generation of estrogens and activation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in malignant breast epithelium. Leptin may maintain resistance to antiestrogen therapy. Namely, it increased activation of estrogen receptors,therefore,it was suspected to reduce or even overcome the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on breast cell proliferation. Although several valuable reviews have been focused on the role of leptin in breast cancer,the status of knowledge in this field changes quickly and our insight should be continuously revised. In this summary,we provide refreshed interpretation of intensively reported scientific queries of the topic.(Pathology Oncology Research Vol 12, No 2, 69–72)