New research from the University of Oklahoma suggests that obesity may change how early breast cancer spreads in women. The study found unique changes in the bodies of women with obesity that help breast cancer become invasive, spreading into surrounding breast tissue.
Researchers observed higher levels of an enzyme called Sulfatase 2 in tumour cells, along with increased inflammation in the area around the cancer. Immune cells that normally fight disease were found to be reprogrammed by tumours to support cancer growth. Additionally, cells in the tumours appeared better able to survive under stress.
“This could be why women with obesity are at higher risk for invasive breast cancer,” said Bethany Hannafon, assistant professor at the university’s College of Medicine. “The changes that the cancer cells are undergoing are allowing them to survive and thrive.”
While further research is needed to understand how these changes contribute to invasive breast cancer, the findings could help doctors better treat patients. The enzyme Sulfatase 2 has previously been linked to breast, lung, liver and other cancers.
Breast cancer survival rates have improved over the past 20 years, but the number of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer has not declined. The American Cancer Society estimates about 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year in the US.
Hannafon noted that overtreatment is a major concern for women with noninvasive tumours, as there is currently no way to determine which cases will progress to invasive cancer. “If we had better ways of determining risk, unnecessary treatments could potentially be reduced,” she said.
