Pro-Inflammatory Adipokines as Predictors of Incident Cancers in a Chinese Cohort of Low Obesity Prevalence in Hong Kong

Chun Yip Yeung, Annette Wai Kwan Tso, Aimin Xu, Yu Wang, Yu Cho Woo, Tai Hing Lam, Su Vui Lo, Carol Ho Yee Fong, Nelson Ming Sang Wat, Jean Woo, Bernard Man Yung Cheung, Karen Siu Ling Lam

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Abstract

Background:Cytokines released from adipose tissues induce chronic low-grade inflammation, which may enhance cancer development. We investigated whether indices of obesity and circulating adipokine levels could predict incident cancer risk.Materials and Methods:This longitudinal community-based study included subjects from the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factors Prevalence Study (CRISPS) study commenced in 1995-1996 (CRISP-1) with baseline assessments including indices of obesity. Subjects were reassessed in 2000-2004 (CRISPS-2) with measurement of serum levels of adipokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2; as a surrogate marker of tumor necrosis factor-α activity), leptin, lipocalin 2, adiponectin and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP). Incident cancer cases were identified up to 31 December 2011.Results:205 of 2893 subjects recruited at CRISPS-1 had developed incident cancers. More of the subjects who developed cancers were obese (22.1 vs 16.1%) or had central obesity (36.6 vs 24.5%) according to Asian cut-offs. Waist circumference (adjusted HR 1.02 [1.00-1.03] per cm; p=0.013), but not body mass index (adjusted HR 1.04 [1.00-1.08] per kg/m2; p=0.063), was a significant independent predictor for incident cancers after adjustment for age, sex and smoking status. 99 of 1899 subjects reassessed at CRISPS-2 had developed cancers. Subjects who developed cancers had significantly higher level of hsCRP, IL-6, sTNFR2 and lipocalin 2. After adjustment for conventional risk factors, only IL-6 (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.95) and sTNFR2 (HR 3.27, 95%CI 1.65-6.47) predicted cancer development.Conclusions:Our data supported the increased risk of malignancy by chronic low grade inflammation related to central obesity.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere78594
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume8
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 24 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

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