Abstract

Intensive research over recent years has provided irrefutable evidence of links between obesity and the risk of an increasing number of human cancers. The predicted economic burden is causing significant concern. This has prompted investigation of the underlying mechanisms with a focus on deregulated metabolic pathways. A number of metabolic processes and associated signalling pathways are associated with the development of obesity. These include a number of interlinking pathways regulating endocrine, redox, inflammation, immunity and lipogenic processes. The identification of deregulated metabolic pathways in obesity with promotion of carcinogenesis has targeted research on the signalling molecules involved. Consequently this mini review is focused on aberrant signalling of deregulated pathways provoked by diets that lead to obesity and their role in carcinogenesis. Knowledge of the signalling molecules involved will assist in directing and establishing dietary manipulation strategies to restore metabolic health in obese individuals. Importantly the identified diversity of signalling pathways linked to obesity related cancers will permit design of more effective combinatorial and multi-targeted cancer therapies in the future.