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Leptin and colorectal cancer: an undefined link

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 4, pages 118–119 (2007)Cite this article

Leptin is a 16 kDa glycoprotein product of the lep gene, the majority (>95%) of which is expressed by adipocytes.1 Most of the functions ascribed to leptin relate to its role in signaling to the brain about stored energy levels in adipose tissue, and its subsequent influence on appetite and energy intake.2 It has been postulated that leptin is associated with numerous obesity-related disorders, which include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, polycystic ovary disease, and eating disorders. Furthermore, leptin is considered to be a member of the interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines. IL-6 stimulates secretion of C-reactive protein (CRP) from the liver, and this cytokine is considered to be an important biomarker for proinflammatory status in several diseases, which includes cancer.1 The influences of leptin on cancer, therefore, might possibly go beyond those associated with obesity.

Studies have shown that serum leptin is positively correlated with percentage body fat in humans.3 Women exhibit a threefold higher circulating level of leptin than men do, possibly because they have a larger amount of adipose tissue than men have.4 This difference between the sexes might also be influenced by levels of sex steroid hormones. Leptin production is believed to be inhibited by testosterone in men, and possibly stimulated by estrogen in women. Data, however, are inconsistent with regard to the correlation between serum leptin levels and serum estrogen levels. The fact that colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rates are slightly higher among men than among women (opposite to serum leptin levels) has opened the debate as to whether leptin has a direct role in CRC, is modified by other factors, or is just an innocent bystander.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. and RK Wolff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah, ML Slattery is a Professor of Epidemiology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,

    Martha L Slattery & Roger K Wolff

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  1. Martha L Slattery
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  2. Roger K Wolff
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Correspondence to Martha L Slattery.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Slattery, M., Wolff, R. Leptin and colorectal cancer: an undefined link. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 4, 118–119 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0743

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