Obesity-Associated Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects approximately 2 million people worldwide. Obesity is the major risk factor for CRC. In addition, obesity contributes to a chronic inflammatory stage that enhances tumor progression through the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition to an increased inflammatory response, obesity-associated cancer presents accrued molecular factors related to cancer characteristics, such as genome instability, sustained cell proliferation, telomere dysfunctions, angiogenesis, and microbial alteration, among others. Despite the evidence accumulated over the last few years, the treatments for obesity-associated CRC do not differ from the CRC treatments in normal-weight individuals. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on obesity-associated cancer, including its epidemiology, risk factors, molecular factors, and current treatments. Finally, we enumerate possible new therapeutic targets that may improve the conditions of obese CRC patients. Obesity is key for the development of CRC, and treatments resulting in the reversal of obesity should be considered as a strategy for improving antineoplastic CRC therapies.