Leptin Promotes Glioblastoma

Abstract EN

The hormone leptin has a variety of functions.

Originally known for its role in satiety and weight loss, leptin more recently has been shown to augment tumor growth in a variety of cancers.

Within gliomas, there is a correlation between tumor grade and tumor expression of leptin and its receptor.

This suggests that autocrine signaling within the tumor microenvironment may promote the growth of high-grade gliomas.

Leptin does this through stimulation of cellular pathways that are also advantageous for tumor growth and recurrence: antiapoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration.

Conversely, a loss of leptin expression attenuates tumor growth.

In animal models of colon cancer and melanoma, a decline in the expression and secretion of leptin resulted in a reduction of tumor growth.

In these models, positive mental stimulation through environmental enrichment decreased leptin secretion and improved tumor outcome.

This review explores the link between leptin and glioblastoma.