The complex crosstalk between obesity, breast cancer

The study, "Multifaceted breast cancer: the molecular connection with obesity," appeared in the July 1, 2016 edition of the international, per-reviewed journal focused on cancer-related issues. The authors belong to a multidisciplinary Italian-American-Tunisian team with a long and productive history of collaboration with Prof. Antonio Giordano, Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research, Temple University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

A novel approach was developed to analyze cell culture systems by professor Pietro Formisano from the University of Naples "Federico II" (NA, Italy), in order to study interactions between adipose tissue and tumors, and the molecular mechanism of insulin action. The contribution of professor Angelina Di Carlo, University of Rome "La Sapienza" (Rome, Italy), was to underline the role of matrix metalloproteinases in obesity-related mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis. The work by Professor Soumaya Kouidhi, of Manouba Thabet University (Aryanah,Tunisia), suggests that the small circulating RNA could be important in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. Finally, professor Marina Di Domenico from the Second University of Naples (Italy) and PI of IRCCS "La salute della donna" of "Malzoni Clinic " (AV, Italy), describes the "non genomic" actions of estrogen receptors in relation to breast cancer, with particular reference to the main roles of p85 / PI3K, in differentiation and cell migration.

This publication, resulting from an excellent exchange of worldwide knowledge, represents an important contribution in the studies of molecular mechanisms regulating breast cancer pathogenesis.