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Obesity-associated epigenetic alterations and the obesity-breast cancer axis

Oncogene volume 43, pages 763–775 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Both breast cancer and obesity can regulate epigenetic changes or be regulated by epigenetic changes. Due to the well-established link between obesity and an increased risk of developing breast cancer, understanding how obesity-mediated epigenetic changes affect breast cancer pathogenesis is critical. Researchers have described how obesity and breast cancer modulate the epigenome individually and synergistically. In this review, the epigenetic alterations that occur in obesity, including DNA methylation, histone, and chromatin modification, accelerated epigenetic age, carcinogenesis, metastasis, and tumor microenvironment modulation, are discussed. Delineating the relationship between obesity and epigenetic regulation is vital to furthering our understanding of breast cancer pathogenesis.

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Fig. 1: Obesity and breast cancer epigenetic modifications.
Fig. 2: Epigenetic alterations to the tumor microenvironment in obesity and breast cancer.
Fig. 3: The effect of obesity on breast cancer subtypes.

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Acknowledgements

This work is partially funded through a NACA agreement with the USDA Project #6054-41000-112-000D and La-CATs U54 GM104940. This work is also funded through the LSUHSC School of Medicine Research Enhancement grants and Fred G. Brazda Foundation to SKA. All figures were created with BioRender.com. We appreciate Elizabeth C. Martin for assistance with editing. We are grateful to Krewe de Pink, an organization of breast cancer survivors, their families, and community members based in New Orleans who are devoted to supporting local breast cancer research. We also want to acknowledge and thank the patients who donate breast cancer tissue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Courtney B. Lagarde, Megan C. Benz, Mackenzie L. Hawes, Carter A. Arbogast, Nicole M. Cullen, Emily C. McConnell, Katherine L. Hebert, Jorge A. Belgodere, Van T. Hoang, Bridgette M. Collins-Burow & Matthew E. Burow

  2. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA

    Joachim Kavalakatt, Caroline Rinderle & Bruce A. Bunnell

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Maninder Khosla & Suresh K. Alahari

  4. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Jorge A. Belgodere

  5. Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Suresh K. Alahari

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  1. Courtney B. Lagarde
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Contributions

SKA conceived the idea, MEB executed the idea, CBL wrote several sections and coordinated with others, and SKA and MEB finalized the article. CBL, JK, MCB, MLH, CAA, NMC, ECM, CR, KLH, MK, JAB, VTH, BMCB, and BAB wrote parts of the article.

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Correspondence to Matthew E. Burow or Suresh K. Alahari.

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Lagarde, C.B., Kavalakatt, J., Benz, M.C. et al. Obesity-associated epigenetic alterations and the obesity-breast cancer axis. Oncogene 43, 763–775 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-024-02954-0

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