4. Obesity: The Weighty Concern in Multiple Myeloma’s Landscape
The global rise in obesity is alarming, not just for the immediately evident health concerns but also its association with various diseases, including cancers like multiple myeloma. Fat cells, or adipocytes, produce a variety of substances, some of which can promote inflammation and affect the body’s hormone balance.
Obesity-induced chronic inflammation is a key concern. Inflammation, in controlled amounts, is the body’s way of combating threats. However, persistent inflammation can create an environment conducive to cancer development. For multiple myeloma, this prolonged inflammatory state might act as a trigger, setting off a cascade of events leading to the disease.
Moreover, obesity affects the body’s insulin dynamics. Elevated insulin levels, a condition termed hyperinsulinemia, can promote the growth of various cells, potentially including the aberrant plasma cells associated with multiple myeloma. While the mechanics of this process are still under investigation, the association between obesity, insulin resistance, and multiple myeloma is hard to ignore.
But obesity isn’t just about excess fat; it’s a metabolic condition with a host of repercussions. For instance, obese individuals often have altered levels of adiponectin and leptin, hormones produced by fat cells. The balance between these hormones can influence the proliferation and survival of myeloma cells. (4)
