Unraveling the local influence of tumor-surrounding adipose tissue on tumor progression: Cellular and molecular actors involved

Abstract

Cells that compose the tumor stroma are associated, if not obligate, partners in tumor progression. Among the different cell types frequently found at close proximity of evolving tumors, little attention has been given to cells that compose the adipose tissue (AT) although a growing interest can be noted in recent years. AT is mainly composed of mature adipocytes that are able to secrete a large panel of bioactive molecules (adipokines) and adipose progenitors. Emerging studies clearly indicate that a bidirectional crosstalk is established between all cellular components of AT and cancer cells and that the tumor-surrounding AT contributes to inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling as well as energy supply within the tumors. In this chapter, we present evidences showing how AT locally affects tumor progression in given types of tumors and how these results might be attractive to explain the link between obesity and the poor prognosis of some cancers. This will be preceded by the overall description of AT composition and function with special emphasis on the specificity of adipose depots, key aspects that need to be taken in account when paracrine effects of AT on tumor progression is considered.