The relation of adiposity and haematological malignancy

Introduction: Excess bodyweight or adiposity is an epidemic health problem that increases the risk of various types of cancer. Adipose tissue produces hormones known as adipocytokines, which participate in carcinogenesis in many solid tumours. Leptin was shown to have mitogenic effects in cancer cell lines thus promoting the malignant behavior of cancer. Adiponectin has a significant anti-inflammatory effect and showed an inverse relation with solid tumours risk. It was hypothesized that adiponectin provides protection against carcinogenesis. However, the knowledge on the relation of adiposity and adipocytokines with haematological malignancies is limited and the findings were not consistent. Materials and Methods: We studied this feature in newly diagnosed haematological malignancy cases in Malaysia. Diagnosis was made according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines or the French-American-Britain (FAB) classification. The body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio, adipocytokines levels (leptin and adiponectin) were measured in subjects (n=29) and healthy control (n=18). Results: There was no significant difference in the mean BMI of control and subjects. However, the mean waist hip ratio in subjects were significantly higher (0.91) compared to control (0.82) with p=0.04. The mean level of leptin was markedly raised in subjects compared to control (1.80 vs 17.41) with p=0.00. The mean adiponectin level was significantly suppressed in subjects (6.54 vs 0.15) with p=0.00. Discussion: This study supports the evidence that adiposity and adipocytokines are related to haematological malignancy similar to that of solid tumours. We also concluded that waist hip ratio is a better index of adiposity compared to BMI.