Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Ana López-Saavedra
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Flora Sánchez-Jiménez
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Antonio Pérez-Pérez
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Jesús Castiñeiras
Urology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
Juan A. Virizuela-Echaburu
Medical Oncology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
Luis de la de la Cruz-Merino
Medical Oncology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
Víctor Sánchez-Margalet
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
Leptin is an important regulator of basal metabolism and food intake, with a pivotal role in obesity. Leptin exerts many different actions on various tissues and systems, including cancer, and is considered as a linkage between metabolism and the immune system. During the last decades, obesity and leptin have been associated with the initiation, proliferation and progression of many types of cancer. Obesity is also linked with complications and mortality, irrespective of the therapy used, affecting clinical outcomes. However, some evidence has suggested its beneficial role, called the “obesity paradox”, and the possible antitumoral role of leptin. Recent data regarding the immunotherapy of cancer have revealed that overweight leads to a more effective response and leptin may probably be involved in this beneficial process. Since leptin is a positive modulator of both the innate and the adaptive immune system, it may contribute to the increased immune response stimulated by immunotherapy in cancer patients and may be proposed as a good actor in cancer. Our purpose is to review this dual role of leptin in cancer, as well as trying to clarify the future perspectives of this adipokine, which further highlights its importance as a cornerstone of the immunometabolism in oncology.
