Leptin - From Obesity to Carcinoma

Extensive researching of recent years show that leptin, originally identified as a key molecule in the development of obesity, is a multifunctional cytokine that is involved in many cellular processes in different tissues. This monograph presents our results relating to the influence of leptin and leptin receptor expression in the genesis and progression of colorectal cancer. It also highlighted the research results of other authors who relate to the character of the expression of leptin and leptin receptor in the growth and progression of malignant tumors of many organs. Finding of a significant level of expression of leptin receptors it is possible to separate patients with a high risk for progression to malignant disease, which is of great importance for the postoperative treatment of patients. Identification of prognostic parameters gives the possibility of individualization of anti-tumor treatment, which opens new perspectives for the prevention and therapy of malignant tumors.