Understanding the Interplay Between Obesity and Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

Obesity has risen to the forefront of global public health challenges, particularly due to its association with several chronic diseases. Its association with cancer has attracted significant research interest. The relationship between obesity and cancer is complex and profoundly influences tumorigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic efficacy. This review provides the molecular basis of these interactions, elucidating how obesity triggers changes in the tumor microenvironment, disrupts metabolic pathways, and promotes inflammation. These factors facilitate cancer development and reduce the efficacy of treatments. By unraveling these mechanisms, we aim to identify therapeutic strategies that could mitigate obesity’s detrimental effects on cancer outcomes and contribute to the development of more effective strategies for managing obesity-related cancers.