Obesity and overweight in relation to organ-specific cancer mortality in London (UK): findings from the original Whitehall study

Insulin Resistance: The Increased Risk of Cancers

Insulin resistance, also known as impaired insulin sensitivity, is the result of a decreased reaction of insulin signaling to blood glucose levels. This state is observed when muscle cells, adipose tissue, and liver cells, improperly respond to a particular concentration of insulin. Insulin resistance and related increased plasma insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) may cause metabolic impairments, which are pathological states observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Observations of cancer patients confirm that hyperinsulinemia is a major factor influencing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Obesity and diabetes have been reported as risks of the initiation, progression, and metastasis of several cancers. However, both of the aforementioned pathologies may independently and additionally increase the cancer risk. The state of metabolic disorders observed in cancer patients is associated with poor outcomes of cancer treatment. For example, patients suffering from metabolic disorders have higher cancer recurrence rates and their overall survival is reduced. In these associations between insulin resistance and cancer risk, an overview of the various pathogenic mechanisms that play a role in the development of cancer is discussed.

The neural model of front-of-package label processing

Front-of-package (FOP) labels have been adopted in many countries to battle the obesity pandemic and its serious health consequences by providing clearer and easier-to-understand nutrition and health information. The effectiveness of FOP labels has been generally confirmed, with some contextual and individual factors modifying their effectiveness. Existing theories (eg, the dual-process theory) and shifting priorities for self-control, provide some explanations for the FOP label effect. However, the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying the processing of FOP labels remain unknown. Here, a new model, namely, the neural model of FOP label processing, has been proposed to fill this gap by providing an integrated account of FOP label processing while simultaneously considering multiple important situational and individual factors in the same framework. This neural model is built on the core eating network (ie, the ventral reward pathway and the dorsal control pathway) for food cue processing and actual food consumption. The new model explains how FOP labels may facilitate attention, influence the core eating network, and thus alter food choices. It also demonstrates how motivation may modify FOP label processing in 2 ways: affecting attention (the indirect way) and changing the process of evaluating the food (the direct way). It further explains how some contextual and individual factors (eg, ego depletion, time pressure, and health knowledge) influence the process. Thus, the neural model integrates evidence from behavioral, eye-tracking, and neuroimaging studies into a single, integrated account, deepening understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms of FOP label processing. This model might facilitate consensus on the most successful FOP label. Moreover, it could provide insights for consumers, food industries, and policy makers and encourage healthy eating behaviors.

A Review of Incidence and Related Risk Factors in the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver malignancy, ranking as the seventh most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer. This review examines the incidence of HCC, its associated risk factors, and constantly changing global trends. Incidence has been noted to be varying worldwide, particularly due to environmental and infectious risk factors. Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus infections, alcohol abuse, aflatoxin exposure, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco consumption are some of the leading risk factors noted. Eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were noted to have the highest disease burden for HCC, with China representing a considerably large majority. On the contrary, the United States reports a lower HCC incidence overall due to improved vaccination programs against HBV; however, with a rising incidence of prominent risk factor in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the trend may very well change. Gender disparities were noted to be evident with men experiencing higher rates of HCC compared to women, which may be due to various environmental and biological factors, including alcohol intake, smoking, and androgen hormone levels. Currently, efforts to reduce the overall incidence of HCC include universal HBV vaccinations, antiviral therapies, aflatoxin prevention measures, genetic screening for hereditary hemochromatosis, and early ultrasound evaluation in patients with liver cirrhosis. Understanding these evolving trends and risk factors is essential in combating the rising HCC incidence, especially in Western countries, where risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, are on the rise.

Regional and sex differences in the mortality risk associated with primary liver cancer in obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Obesity has increasingly become a prominent public health problem. Although some studies have shown that obesity is associated with the risk for primary liver cancer (PLC)-related mortality, the regional and sex differences are not clear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to further elucidate the influence of obesity on PLC prognosis from multiple aspects.

METHODS

This study used a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Sinomed, and CNKI for eligible studies evaluating the effects of obesity on the prognosis of PLC. Data on PLC-related mortality, all-cause mortality, or recurrence should be available to obtain, and studies providing regional, or sex specificity are of concern. Hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the pooled risk.

RESULTS

Obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk for PLC-related mortality. A significant regional difference was observed (North America: HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.06-2.34; Europe: HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.08-2.16; Asia: HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92-1.19; Oceania: HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.76-1.67). A stronger association between excess body mass index (BMI) and an increased risk for PLC-related mortality was demonstrated in men compared with women (men: HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.25-2.77; women: HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.00-1.47). No association was observed in the analysis between obesity and all-cause mortality and recurrence risk in PLC (all-cause mortality: HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.96-1.06; recurrence risk: HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.88-1.15).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a stronger association between obesity and PLC-related mortality in North America and Europe and among men.

Association of metabolic syndrome and the risk of bladder cancer: A prospective cohort study

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components have been shown as risk factors for several solid cancers. However, current epidemiological evidence about the relevance of MetS and bladder cancer risk was limited.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 476,986 participants with undiagnosed bladder cancer based on the UK Biobank. MetS was defined as the presence of at least three of the five selected indicators: hypertension, central obesity, raised triglyceride, reduced HDL-cholesterol, and raised fasting plasma glucose. Bladder cancer has been identified through contact with the British Cancer Registry (median follow-up time: 6.6 years). We assessed hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) through Cox proportional hazard regression after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors. Non-linear associations for individual MetS components were assessed by the restricted cubic spline method.

Results

During a follow-up of 3,112,566 person-years, 487 cases of bladder cancer were ascertained. MetS (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08-1.61), central obesity (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.15-1.68), dyslipidemia for HDL cholesterol (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.04-1.66), and hyperglycemia (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.16-1.79) were associated with elevated risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer risk increased with the number of MetS components. In stratified analyses, MetS showed similar effects in bladder cancer independently with sex, age, cigarette and alcohol use, physical activity, and dietary factors. Higher waist circumference, BMI, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin were independently associated with increased risk of bladder cancer, with no evidence against non-linearity.

Conclusion

MetS might be an independent risk factor for bladder cancer. Our findings highlighted the importance of individualized management of MetS components for preventing bladder cancer.

Expected and paradoxical effects of obesity on cancer treatment response

Obesity, whose prevalence is pandemic and continuing to increase, is a major preventable and modifiable risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as for cancer. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is a negative independent prognostic factor for several oncological outcomes, including overall and cancer-specific survival, for several site-specific cancers as well as for all cancers combined. Yet, a recently growing body of evidence suggests that sometimes overweight and obesity may associate with better outcomes, and that immunotherapy may show improved response among obese patients compared with patients with a normal weight. The so-called 'obesity paradox' has been reported in several advanced cancer as well as in other diseases, albeit the mechanisms behind this unexpected relationship are still not clear. Aim of this review is to explore the expected as well as the paradoxical relationship between obesity and cancer prognosis, with a particular emphasis on the effects of cancer therapies in obese people.

The Impact of Obesity on Surgically Treated Locoregional Melanoma

BACKGROUND

The impact of obesity on early-stage melanoma is poorly understood. We examined the impact of overweight and obesity on clinical outcomes in locoregional melanoma.

METHODS

Adults who underwent surgery at Emory University Healthcare between 2010 and 2017 for clinically stage I-II cutaneous melanoma, with known stage, height, and weight at the time of presentation, were identified. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and clinicopathologic characteristics was assessed.

RESULTS

Of 1756 patients, 584 were obese (33.2%; BMI ≥ 30), 658 were overweight (37.5%; BMI ≥ 25 and < 30), and 514 were normal weight (29.3%; BMI < 25). Demographics associated with obesity included male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-3.3; p < 0.001) and lower income (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9; p = 0.003). Melanomas in obese patients were thicker (2.0 ± 0.2 mm) than in overweight (1.7 ± 0.1 mm) or normal-weight patients (1.4 ± 0.1 mm; p = 0.002). Ulceration, mitoses, BRAF status, and sentinel lymph node (SLN) status were not affected by obesity. In multivariable analysis, obesity independently predicted increased odds of pathologic stage II melanoma (vs. stage 0 or I; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.7, p = 0.001), but not pathologic stage III melanoma (p > 0.05). At 33 months' median follow-up, obesity was not an independent predictor of stage-specific overall survival (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Obese patients are nearly twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to present with thicker melanomas, but they have similar stage-specific overall survival and SLN positivity. Obesity may promote more aggressive growth of the primary tumor, and barriers to preventive care in obese patients may exacerbate later-stage presentation.

The impact of anthropometric parameters on colorectal cancer prognosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Our study aims to clarify the relationship between weight parameters and colorectal cancer outcomes.

METHODS

NCBI, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from inception to December 2019. Studies reporting colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, recurrence, disease-free survival, overall survival, overall mortality stratified by pre-diagnosis BMI or post-diagnosis weight change, were included in the analysis. Random effects analysis was performed for all outcomes, with heterogeneity assessed by the I² statistic.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis included 45 studies encompassing 607,266 patients. Obesity was associated with increased odds of overall mortality and CRC-specific mortality compared to normal weight (p < 0.001). Patients with underweight BMI had increased odds of CRC-specific mortality compared to normal BMI but were not significantly different from obese BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Obese and underweight BMI are associated with increased CRC-specific and overall mortality compared to normal BMI. Long term prognosis was similar for patients with obese and underweight BMI.

Obesity and the risk of primary liver cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/Aims

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify the effect of obesity on the occurrence of and mortality from primary liver cancer.

Methods

This study was conducted using a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library until November 2018 using the primary keywords “obesity,” “overweight,” “body mass index (BMI),” “body weight,” “liver,” “cancer,” “hepatocellular carcinoma,” “liver cancer,” “risk,” and “mortality.” Studies assessing the relationship between BMI and occurrence of or mortality from primary liver cancer in prospective cohorts and those reporting hazard ratios (HRs) or data that allow HR estimation were included.

Results

A total of 28 prospective cohort studies with 8,135,906 subjects were included in the final analysis. These included 22 studies with 6,059,561 subjects for cancer occurrence and seven studies with 2,077,425 subjects for cancer-related mortality. In the meta-analysis, an increase in BMI was associated with the occurrence of primary liver cancer (HR, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–1.90, I²=56%). A BMI-dependent increase in the risk of occurrence of primary liver cancer was reported. HRs were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.02–1.81), 1.77 (95% CI, 1.56–2.01), and 3.08 (95% CI, 1.21–7.86) for BMI >25 kg/m², >30 kg/m², and >35 kg/m², respectively. Furthermore, increased BMI resulted in enhanced liver cancer-related mortality (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.14–2.27, I²=80%).

Conclusions

High BMI increases liver cancer mortality and occurrence of primary liver cancer. Obesity is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of and mortality from primary liver cancer.

Associations of general obesity and central obesity with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Korean population: A national population-based cohort study

Numerous previous studies have shown an association between general obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, relatively few reports on the association of central obesity and HCC are available in Asian populations. Therefore, we investigated the association between WC representing central obesity and the risk of HCC in addition to BMI representing general obesity and the risk of HCC in Korea. A total of 10 505 818 participants who received the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) health checkups in 2009 were screened for study eligibility, and 26 979 cases of HCC occurred during the 7.3 years of mean follow-up. General obesity increased the risk of HCC with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.14 (95% CI, 1.11-1.18) for BMI 25.0-<30.0 kg/m² and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.43-1.61) for BMI ≥30 kg/m² compared to those whose BMI is within the normal range. Central obesity was also associated with a higher risk of HCC. For the participants with a WC ≥105 cm in men and WC ≥100 cm in women, the risk of HCC was higher than that of the reference group (HR = 1.69, 95% CI, 1.54-1.85). The HRs were 1.13 (95% CI, 1.07-1.19) for nonobese participants with central obesity, and 1.34 (95% CI, 1.30-1.38) for obese participants with central obesity compared to those without both conditions. Our findings suggest that the risk of HCC increases even more when general obesity is combined with central obesity. Moreover, central obesity is associated with the risk of HCC, regardless of general obesity.

Obesity and liver cancer

Obesity prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. It is associated with huge economic and health costs due to its clinical consequences, which includes increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and development of different malignancies. In particular, obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Indeed, obesity is highly prevalent in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is becoming one of the most frequent causes of liver disease worldwide. NAFLD-related HCC is the most rapidly growing indication for liver transplantation in many countries. The higher mortality rates found in obese HCC patients might be related not only to a worse outcome after HCC treatments, but also to a delayed diagnosis related to a low frequency and a poorer quality of abdominal ultrasonography surveillance that is the test universally used for HCC screening. Given its diffusion, obesity is frequently present in patients with chronic liver diseases related to different etiologies, and in these cases it may increase the HCC risk, acting as an additional co-factor. Indeed, growing evidence demonstrates that a healthy diet and regular physical activity may have an impact in reducing the overall HCC risk. Finally, an impact of obesity in the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has been postulated, but more extensive studies are needed to definitively confirm this association.

Overweight and Obesity as Independent Factors for Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Cancer-Related Mortality: A Meta-Analysis

Obesity is related to the amplified risk of developing hepatocellular cancer, but its outcome on hepatocellular cancer-related mortality remains uncertain. Hence, the present study aimed to perform a meta-analysis study to evaluate the relationship between weight and hepatocellular cancer-related deaths. Through a systematic literature search up to December 2019, 7 observational studies with 2,349,834 subjects, 4834 hepatocellular cancer-related deaths were identified reporting relationships between body mass index (BMI), and hepatocellular cancer-related mortality. Odd ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated comparing obese, BML > 30kg/m², and overweight, BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m² to subjects with normal BMI using the dichotomous method with a random-effect model. In obese subjects, males (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.25-2.70) and females (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.44), had higher hepatocellular cancer-related mortality compared to normal BMI subjects. However, overweight males (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.98-1.28) and overweight females (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95-1.18), did not have such risk with moderate heterogeneity. The extent of increased mortality was higher in obese males compared to obese females. The impact of obesity on hepatocellular cancer-related mortality was observed in all populations with less extant in the black population. Based on this meta-analysis, obesity may have an independent relationship with up to the 1.84-fold risk of hepatocellular cancer-related mortality. This relationship was more pronounced in males than in females. Key teaching pointsBeing overweight is related to the amplified risk of developing hepatocellular cancer.Obesity's affect on hepatocellular cancer-related mortality remains uncertain.Based on this meta-analysis, obesity may have an independent relationship with up to the 1.84-fold risk of hepatocellular cancer-related mortality.This relationship was more pronounced in males than in females.

Physical Activity and the Risk of Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies and a Bias Analysis

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity is an established risk factor for several cancers of the digestive system and female reproductive organs, but the evidence for liver cancers is less conclusive.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to synthesize prospective observational studies on the association of physical activity and liver cancer risk by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus from inception to January 2019 for prospective studies investigating the association of physical activity and liver cancer risk. We calculated mean hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. We quantified the extent to which an unmeasured confounder or an unaccounted selection variable could shift the mean hazard ratio to the null.

RESULTS

Fourteen prospective studies, including 6,440 liver cancers, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The mean hazard ratio for high compared with low physical activity was 0.75 (95% CI = 0.63 to 0.89; 95% prediction interval = 0.52 to 1.07; I² = 64.2%). We estimated that 67.6% (95% CI = 56.6% to 78.5%) of all true effect estimates would have a hazard ratio less than 0.8. Bias analysis suggested than an unobserved confounder would have to be associated with a 1.99-fold increase in the risk of physical activity or liver cancer to explain away the observed mean hazard ratio. An unaccounted for selection variable would have to be related to exposure and endpoint with a relative risk of 1.58 to explain away the mean hazard ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity is inversely related to the risk of liver cancer. Further studies with objectively measured physical activity and quasi-experimental designs addressing confounding are needed.

Excess Body Weight and the Risk of Liver Cancer: Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Objective: To update and expand the previous meta-analysis including all prospective studies on the issue of the associations between overweight, obesity, and liver cancer risk. We also performed a meta-regression to investigate a potential nonlinear and/or linear association between body mass index (BMI) and liver cancer risk.Methods: Literature search was conducted in four libraries from the beginning of indexing for each database to 1st September, 2018.Results: The summary risk estimate was statistically significant on the association between overweight and the risk of liver cancer incidence (relative ratio [RR] = 1.19). The RRs were significantly stronger in people with known liver disease with overweight than in the general population with overweight (RR = 1.50 vs. RR = 1.10; P_difference = .02). The meta-analysis showed an increase by 87% on the risk of liver cancer incidence in obesity categories, relative to categories of normal BMI (RR = 1.87, P < .01). Moreover, the results showed that, overweight was associated with 9% increased and obesity with 66% increased for risk of liver cancer mortality. In linear model, the relative risks of liver cancer were 1.32 for continuous BMI per 5 kg/m² increase.Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that overweight, obesity may significantly increase liver cancer risk.

Obesity is Independently Associated With Increased Risk of Hepatocellular Cancer-related Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Excess body weight is associated with increased risk of developing hepatocellular cancer (HCC), but its effect on HCC-related mortality remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between premorbid obesity and HCC-related mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through a systematic literature search-up to March 2016, we identified 9 observational studies (1,599,453 individuals, 5705 HCC-related deaths) reporting the association between premorbid body mass index (BMI), and HCC-related mortality. We estimated summary adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing obese (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) and overweight (BMI, 25 to 29.9 kg/m(2)) individuals with normal BMI individuals using random-effects model.

RESULTS

On meta-analysis, compared with individuals with normal BMI, obese (aHR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.46-2.46), but not overweight individuals (aHR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.97-1.21), had higher HCC-related mortality, with moderate heterogeneity. On subgroup analysis, magnitude of increased mortality was higher in obese men (aHR, 2.50; 95% CI, 2.02-3.09; 3 studies) as compared with obese women (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.08-1.97; 2 studies). The impact of premorbid obesity on HCC-related mortality was observed only in western populations (aHR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.77-2.48; 4 studies), but not Asian populations (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.63-1.92; 1 study). There was limited assessment of competing risk because of advanced liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of this meta-analysis, premorbid obesity may be independently associated with a 2-fold risk of HCC-related mortality. This association was more pronounced in men and western populations. Strategies targeting obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities may provide novel pathways for HCC therapy.

Body size and obesity during adulthood, and risk of lympho-haematopoietic cancers: an update of the WCRF-AICR systematic review of published prospective studies

BACKGROUND

To summarise the evidence on the associations between body mass index (BMI) and BMI in early adulthood, height, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and risk of lympho-haematopoietic cancers.

METHOD

We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies and identified relevant studies published up to December 2017 by searching PubMed. A random-effects model was used to calculate dose-response summary relative risks (RRs).

RESULTS

Our findings showed BMI, and BMI in early adulthood (aged 18-21 years) is associated with the risk of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL and NHL), diffuse large beta-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Leukaemia including acute and chronic myeloid lymphoma (AML and CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM). The summary RR per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI were 1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.20] for HL, 1.05 (95% CI: 1.03-1.08) for NHL, 1.11 (95% CI: 1.05-1.16) for DLBCL, 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.09) for ML, 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03-1.15) for leukaemia, 1.13 (95% CI: 1.04-1.24) for AML, 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05-1.22) for CML and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00-1.09) for CLL, and were1.12 (95% CI: 1.05-1.19) for NHL, 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09-1.37) for DLBCL, and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.03-1.38) for FL for BMI in early adulthood analysis. Results on mortality showed a 15%, 16% and 17% increased risk of NHL, MM and leukaemia, respectively. Greater height increased the risk of NHL by 7%, DLBCL by 10%, FL by 9%, MM by 5% and Leukaemia by 7%. WHR was associated with increased risk of DLBCL by 12%. No association was found between higher WC and risk of MM.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that general adiposity in adulthood and early adulthood, and greater height may increase the risk of almost all types of lympho-haematopoietic cancers and this adds to a growing body of evidence linking body fatness to several types of cancers.

Anthropometric characteristics, physical activity and risk of hematological malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Overweight/obesity, adult attained height and physical activity are possible risk factors for hematological malignancies. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the associations between these factors and hematological cancer risk in adults. Eligible cohort studies were sought in PubMed up to May 31, 2016; overall, 44 studies were included in the present analyses. Pooled relative risk estimates were calculated using random-effects models; separate analyses were conducted for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and subtypes (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL; follicular cell lymphoma; small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, SLL/CLL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), multiple myeloma (MM), leukemia and subtypes (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, AML). Obesity was associated with increased risk of NHL, HL, MM, leukemia overall and AML in both sexes, as well as with higher DLBCL risk in women; the dose-response meta-regression analysis confirmed these associations. Less pronounced effects were observed regarding overweight, as it was associated with increased MM risk in both sexes, NHL risk in males, DLBCL and overall leukemia risk in females. Taller men presented with significantly higher risk of NHL and taller women were affected by higher risk of NHL, DLBCL, FL, CLL/SLL, MM, leukemia and AML. On the other hand, physical activity and abdominal fatness were not associated with the risk of hematological malignancies. In conclusion, this meta-analysis highlights the pivotal role of anthropometric measures in shaping the risk of hematological malignancies in adults. Additional, well-designed studies stemming from all the continents are needed for the further substantiation and generalization of the results.

The association between metabolic syndrome and bladder cancer susceptibility and prognosis: an updated comprehensive evidence synthesis of 95 observational studies involving 97,795,299 subjects

Background

The association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and bladder cancer (BC) was not fully investigated, and most primary studies and pooled analyses were only focused on certain specific components.

Objective

To further investigate this issue and obtain more precise findings, we conducted this updated evidence synthesis of published studies, which involved not only MS components but also the MS in its entirety.

Materials and methods

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for observational studies on the association between BC susceptibility and/or mortality, and MS and its components. We extracted data from included studies, evaluated heterogeneity, and performed meta-analytic quantitative syntheses.

Results

A total of 95 studies with 97,795,299 subjects were included in the present study. According to the results, MS significantly increased the risk of BC (risk ratio [RR]=1.11, 95% CI=1.00–1.23); diabetes significantly increased the risk of BC (RR=1.29, 95% CI=1.19–1.39) and associated with poor survival (RR=1.24, 95% CI=1.08–1.43). Excessive body weight was associated with increased susceptibility (RR=1.07, 95% CI=1.02–1.12), recurrence (RR=1.46, 95% CI=1.18–1.81), and mortality (RR=1.17, 95% CI=1.00–1.37). As indicated by cumulative meta-analysis, sample size was inadequate for the association between BC susceptibility and MS, the association between BC recurrence and excessive body weight, and the association between BC survival and diabetes. The sample size of the meta-analysis was enough to reach a stable pooled effect for other associations.

Conclusion

Diabetes and excessive body weight as components of MS are associated with increased susceptibility and poor prognosis of BC. Uncertainty remains concerning the impact of overall MS, hypertension, and dyslipidemia on BC susceptibility and prognosis, for which further investigations are needed.

An increased body mass index is associated with a worse prognosis in patients administered BCG immunotherapy for T1 bladder cancer

PURPOSE

The body mass index (BMI) may be associated with an increased incidence and aggressiveness of urological cancers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the BMI on survival in patients with T1G3 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

A total of 1155 T1G3 NMIBC patients from 13 academic institutions were retrospectively reviewed and patients administered adjuvant intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy with maintenance were included. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of recurrence and progression.

RESULTS

After re-TURBT, 288 patients (27.53%) showed residual high-grade NMIBC, while 867 (82.89%) were negative. During follow-up, 678 (64.82%) suffered recurrence, and 303 (30%) progression, 150 (14.34%) died of all causes, and 77 (7.36%) died of bladder cancer. At multivariate analysis, tumor size (hazard ratio [HR]:1.3; p = 0.001), and multifocality (HR:1.24; p = 0.004) were significantly associated with recurrence (c-index for the model:55.98). Overweight (HR: 4; p < 0.001) and obesity (HR:5.33 p < 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Addition of the BMI to a model that included standard clinicopathological factors increased the C-index by 9.9. For progression, we found that tumor size (HR:1.63; p < 0.001), multifocality (HR:1.31; p = 0.01) and concomitant CIS (HR: 2.07; p < 0.001) were significant prognostic factors at multivariate analysis (C-index 63.8). Overweight (HR: 2.52; p < 0.001) and obesity (HR: 2.521 p < 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased risk of progression. Addition of the BMI to a model that included standard clinicopathological factors increased the C-index by 1.9.

CONCLUSIONS

The BMI could have a relevant role in the clinical management of T1G3 NMIBC, if associated with bladder cancer recurrence and progression. In particular, this anthropometric factor should be taken into account at initial diagnosis and in therapeutic strategy decision making.

Global Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most important etiologies of HCC, and effective screening and management strategies are crucial to reduce the HCC risk. For HBV, which accounts for the majority of HCC cases, most infections were acquired via perinatal and early horizontal transmission. Universal vaccination of newborns has led to a decline in HCC incidence compared with the pre-vaccination era. Effective antiviral therapies with nucleos(t)ide analogues or pegylated interferon reduced the incidence of HCC. For HCV, the emergence of effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents has substantially improved cure rates; therefore all patients with HCV should be considered for DAA treatment. The most important obstacle in eliminating HCV is access to therapy. For NAFLD, the global incidence is increasing rapidly, thus its impact on HCC incidence may be explosive. Progression to HCC in NAFLD happens particularly in those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and exacerbated by metabolic syndrome, or PNPLA3 gene polymorphism. Lifestyle changes are imperative while drug therapy has yet to demonstrate substantive protective effects on HCC prevention. For management of HCC, early diagnosis via imaging surveillance among persons with HCC risk factors remains the most important strategy to identify early-stage disease appropriate for resection or transplantation.

Association of body mass index with mortality and postoperative survival in renal cell cancer patients, a meta-analysis

Obesity is one of the major risk factors of cancer. However, how body mass index (BMI) influences the prognosis of renal cell cancer (RCC) patient is unclear. In this work, we have performed a meta-analysis to elucidate the role of abnormal weight in RCC mortality and postoperative survival. Articles related to BMI and RCC mortality as well as postoperative survival has been identified by searching PUBMED and ENBASE. Totally, 19 articles have been selected for this meta-analysis, 5 articles for RCC mortality and 14 for postoperative survival. Compared to normal weight, the estimated relative risks of RCC mortality are 0.71 (95% CI: 0.34–1.49), 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05–1.35) and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.27–2.00) respectively for the underweight, overweight and obesity patients. The risk of RCC mortality increase 5% for each 1 kg/m² increment of BMI. However, the estimated hazard ratios of cancer specific postoperative survival are 2.62 (95% CI: 1.67–4.11), 0.72 (95% CI: 0.63–0.83) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49–0.89) respectively for underweight, overweight and obesity RCC patients. The risk of hazard ratio decrease 5% for each 1 kg/m² increment of BMI. In addition, the hazard ratios of postoperative overall survival show a similar tendency. These results indicate an opposite association of BMI with mortality and postoperative survival in renal cell cancer patients.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming more common globally. The incidence of HCC due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in comparison to other etiologies is increasing. This is due to the pandemic of obesity and diabetes mellitus, two important risk factors for HCC. HCC arising in this context occurs in about 40% of the cases in a liver which is not yet cirrhotic. This has implications regarding the population which should be enrolled in an HCC surveillance program and regarding the treatment options. Surgery is more frequently contemplated in patients with HCC and no cirrhosis. However, patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced HCC have frequent co-morbidities which have to be taken into account when developing a management strategy. Interestingly, these patients are frequently on medications which have been suggested to decrease the risk to develop HCC.

Associations between body mass index and the risk of mortality from lung cancer: A dose-response PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with the risk of mortality from lung cancer (LC) is controversial, and the shape of dose-response relationship on this topic is not well-established. Thus, a dose-response meta-analysis was performed to clarify this association.

METHODS

A search of PubMed and EMBASE was conducted, and 2-stage random-effect dose-response model was used to yield summary relative risks and its shape.

RESULTS

Fifteen prospective cohort studies were eligible for inclusion criteria. The combined relative risks per 5 kg/m in BMI for risk of LC mortality is 0.94 (95% confidence interval] 0.92-0.96), and nonlinear association was found (Pnonlinearity < .0001), which indicated that compared with higher BMI, lower BMI showed higher LC mortality risk. Subgroup analyses revealed that this obesity paradox remained regardless of number of cases, follow-up duration, and study location, but this relationship was not observed among nonsmokers.

CONCLUSION

A nonlinear association between BMI and the risk of LC mortality was found, and higher BMI participants have a lower risk of LC death than slim people.

Health at Every Size

It would be difficult to overstate the urgency that U.S. government and health officials have placed on the dangers posed by obesity. Given the increasing numbers of individuals being diagnosed as overweight and obese and the emphasis on the contribution of weight to health and disease, it is critical that all health professionals examine the validity of the claims being made. A thorough examination of the research literature does not support the claims that overweight and obesity are major causes of premature mortality, excess fat is pathological and a direct cause of disease, and weight loss is practical and beneficial to health for most individuals. The literature also does not provide any significant evidence-based support for current approaches to weight management. In fact, it suggests that these approaches may likely be doing more harm than good.

Examining the Long-Term Association of Personality With Cause-Specific Mortality in London: Four Decades of Mortality Surveillance in the Original Whitehall Smoking Cessation Trial

The personality domains of extraversion and neuroticism are regarded as being stable individual psychological characteristics, yet it remains unclear whether they are associated with chronic disease over an extended period of time. In a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation nested within the original prospective Whitehall Study (1967-2012), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was administered to 832 male self-declared smokers who had undergone a medical examination during which their levels of extraversion and neuroticism were quantified. In the 42-year follow-up period, there were 781 deaths. In analyses in which participants from both trial arms were pooled, there was little evidence of a robust relation of either personality domain with death from all causes, coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, or cancer in any of our analyses. We therefore found no support for a role of either extraversion or neuroticism as determinants of long-term mortality risk.

Obesity promotes PhIP-induced small intestinal carcinogenesis in hCYP1A-db/db mice: involvement of mutations and DNA hypermethylation of Apc

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer. To study the promotion of dietary carcinogen-induced gastrointestinal cancer by obesity, we employed 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) to induce intestinal tumorigenesis in CYP1A-humanized (hCYP1A) mice, in which mouse Cyp1a1/1a2 was replaced with human CYP1A1/1A2 Obesity was introduced in hCYP1A mice by breeding with Lepr(db/+) mice to establish the genetically induced obese hCYP1A-Lepr(db/db) mice or by feeding hCYP1A mice a high-fat diet. PhIP induced the formation of small intestinal tumors at the ages of weeks 28-40 in obese hCYP1A mice, but not in lean hCYP1A mice. No tumors were found in colon and other gastrointestinal organs in the lean or obese mice. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found strong positive staining of NF-κB p65, pSTAT3 and COX2 as well as elevated levels of nuclear β-catenin (Ctnnb1) in small intestinal tumors, but not in normal tissues. By sequencing Apc and Ctnnb1 genes, we found that most PhIP-induced small intestinal tumors in obese mice carried only a single heterozygous mutation in Apc By bisulfite-sequencing of CpG islands of Apc, we found DNA hypermethylation in a CpG cluster located in its transcription initiation site, which most likely caused the inactivation of the wild-type Apc allele. Our findings demonstrate that PhIP-induced small intestinal carcinogenesis in hCYP1A-db/db mice is promoted by obesity and involves Apc mutation and inactivation by DNA hypermethylation. This experimental result is consistent with the association of obesity and the increased incidence of small intestinal cancer in humans in recent decades.

Obesity, Physical Activity and Bladder Cancer

While smoking and exposure to certain chemicals are well-defined risk factors for bladder cancer, there is no consensus as to the roles of modifiable lifestyle factors, notably physical activity, and obesity. We evaluated associations of obesity and physical activity with bladder cancer risk by performing a system-wide search of PubMed for cohort and case-control studies focused on obesity, exercise, and bladder cancer. A total of 31 studies were identified that evaluated the associations of obesity and physical activity with bladder cancer risk: 20 focused on obesity, eight on physical activity, and three on both. There was marked heterogeneity in population composition and outcomes assessment. Fifteen (65%) of the obesity studies used prevalence or incidence as the primary outcome and seven (30%) used bladder cancer mortality. Ten (44%) observed positive and 13 (56%) null associations of obesity with bladder cancer. Three (100%) of three studies also noted strong positive associations of obesity with bladder cancer progression or recurrence. Ten (91%) of the physical activity studies analyzed prevalence or incidence and one (9%) mortality. One (9%) study observed positive, seven (64%) null, and three (27%) negative associations of physical activity with bladder cancer. Study heterogeneity precluded quantitative assessment of outcomes. Obesity is potentially associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, particularly for progression, recurrence, or death. Further studies of physical activity and bladder cancer are needed to validate these observations and elucidate the associations of exercise with bladder cancer progression and mortality.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and lifestyles

The majority of hepatocellular carcinoma occurs over pre-existing chronic liver diseases that share cirrhosis as an endpoint. In the last decade, a strong association between lifestyle and hepatocellular carcinoma has become evident. Abundance of energy-rich food and sedentary lifestyles have caused metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes mellitus to become global epidemics. Obesity and diabetes mellitus are both tightly linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and also increase hepatocellular carcinoma risk independent of cirrhosis. Emerging data suggest that physical activity not only counteracts obesity, diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but also reduces cancer risk. Physical activity exerts significant anticancer effects in the absence of metabolic disorders. Here, we present a systematic review on lifestyles and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver Cancer: Connections with Obesity, Fatty Liver, and Cirrhosis

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, is steadily growing because obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are replacing viral- and alcohol-related liver disease as major pathogenic promoters. The most worrisome aspects of these new risk factors are their large spread in the general population and their link with HCC arising in noncirrhotic livers. HCC may be the presenting feature of an asymptomatic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD. The HCC risk connected to metabolic factors has been underestimated so far, and a poorer surveillance has prevented an adequate treatment. Systemic and hepatic molecular mechanisms involved in obesity- and NAFLD-induced hepatocarcinogenesis as well as potential early markers of HCC are being extensively investigated. This review summarizes current evidence linking obesity, NAFLD and liver cancer, discusses its clinical impact and describes the main mechanisms underlying this complex relationship.

Association between the metabolic syndrome and high tumor grade and stage of primary urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

To compare histopathologic findings of patients who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TUR-B) between groups with and without the metabolic syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 535 patients who underwent TUR-B in our department between October 2005 and March 2011. All patients had primary urethelial cell carcinoma (UCB). Histologic stage, grade, the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, HDL and trigliseride levels were evaluated. The TNM classification was used, with Ta tumor accepted as lower stage and T1 and T2 tumors as higher stage bladder cancers. Also, the pathological grading adopted by the 2004 World Health Organization grading system were applied. Non-invasive papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential were regarded as low grade.

RESULTS

Among the total of 509 patients analyzed in our study, there were 439 males (86.2%) and 70 females (13.8%). Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with high histologic grade, and high pathologic stage (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with metabolic syndrome were found to have statistically significant higher T stage and grade of bladder cancer. Further studies with more patients are needed to confirm our study.

Association between metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes mellitus and oncological outcomes of bladder cancer: a systematic review

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of several metabolic abnormalities, its prevalence is increasing worldwide. To summarize the most recent evidence regarding the relationship between metabolic syndrome, its components and the oncological outcomes in bladder cancer patients, a National Center for Biotechnology Information PubMed search for relevant articles either published or e-published up to March 2014 was carried out by combining the following Patient population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome terms: metabolic syndrome, obesity, body mass index, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, bladder cancer, risk, mortality, cancer specific survival, disease recurrence and progression. Metabolic syndrome is a complex, highly prevalent disorder, and central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension are its main components. Published findings would suggest that metabolic syndrome per se might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in male patients, but it did not seem to confer a risk of worse prognosis. Considering the primary components of metabolic syndrome (hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia), available data are uncertain, and it is no possible to reach a conclusion yet on either a direct or an indirect association with bladder cancer risk and prognosis. Only with regard to type 2 diabetes mellitus, available data would suggest a potential negative correlation. However, as the evaluation of bladder cancer risk and prognosis in patients with metabolic disorders is certainly complex, further studies are urgently required to better assess the actual role of these metabolic disorders.

Genome-wide interaction study of smoking and bladder cancer risk

Bladder cancer is a complex disease with known environmental and genetic risk factors. We performed a genome-wide interaction study (GWAS) of smoking and bladder cancer risk based on primary scan data from 3002 cases and 4411 controls from the National Cancer Institute Bladder Cancer GWAS. Alternative methods were used to evaluate both additive and multiplicative interactions between individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and smoking exposure. SNPs with interaction P values < 5 × 10(-) (5) were evaluated further in an independent dataset of 2422 bladder cancer cases and 5751 controls. We identified 10 SNPs that showed association in a consistent manner with the initial dataset and in the combined dataset, providing evidence of interaction with tobacco use. Further, two of these novel SNPs showed strong evidence of association with bladder cancer in tobacco use subgroups that approached genome-wide significance. Specifically, rs1711973 (FOXF2) on 6p25.3 was a susceptibility SNP for never smokers [combined odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-1.50, P value = 5.18 × 10(-) (7)]; and rs12216499 (RSPH3-TAGAP-EZR) on 6q25.3 was a susceptibility SNP for ever smokers (combined OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.67-0.84, P value = 6.35 × 10(-) (7)). In our analysis of smoking and bladder cancer, the tests for multiplicative interaction seemed to more commonly identify susceptibility loci with associations in never smokers, whereas the additive interaction analysis identified more loci with associations among smokers-including the known smoking and NAT2 acetylation interaction. Our findings provide additional evidence of gene-environment interactions for tobacco and bladder cancer.

Obesity and pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is an invariably fatal malignancy. Cigarette smoking and diabetes are established risk factors, but over the last two decades studies have shown that excess adiposity is an additional independent risk factor with 30-50% of cases thought to be attributed to nutritional factors. The aim of this narrative review is to analyze all the epidemiological evidence on the topic and possible pathophysiology.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Medline, and all available evidence was included. We firstly analyze meta- and pooled analysis. Then we discuss individual studies to identify sources of discrepancies between studies and attempt to delineate pathophysiology.

RESULTS

It is estimated that obese individuals have a relative risk (RR) ranging between 1.19 and 1.47, when compared with those of normal weight, regardless of diabetes or smoking status. No significant differences were found between gender.

CONCLUSION

There is a measurable increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer in obese individuals, and excess adiposity is related to the condition with a "dose-response" curve. Hyperinsulinemia and possibly hyperestrogenism secondary to a metabolic syndrome, and independently from diabetes status, appear to be the key elements of the pathogenesis in pancreatic cancer secondary to excess body fat. Increased efforts should therefore be made in tackling the epidemic levels of obesity in the Western world countries.

Obesity and liver cancer

Obesity is an established risk factor for many types of cancers, particularly for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), owing to its carcinogenic potential and the association with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). HCC may develop in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers with NAFLD, particularly in the presence of multiple metabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. This issue is alarming because the population potentially at higher risk is greatly increasing. This review summarizes current evidence linking obesity and liver cancer, and discusses recent advances on the mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Are current UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) obesity risk guidelines useful? Cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors in a large, representative English population

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently released obesity guidelines for health risk. For the first time in the UK, we estimate the utility of these guidelines by relating them to the established cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Health Survey for England (HSE) 2006, a population-based cross-sectional study in England was used with a sample size of 7225 men and women aged ≥35 years (age range: 35–97 years). The following CVD risk factor outcomes were used: hypertension, diabetes, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and Framingham risk score. Four NICE categories of obesity were created based on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC): no risk (up to normal BMI and low/high WC); increased risk (normal BMI & very high WC, or obese & low WC); high risk (overweight & very high WC, or obese & high WC); and very high risk (obese I & very high WC or obese II/III with any levels of WC. Men and women in the very high risk category had the highest odds ratios (OR) of having unfavourable CVD risk factors compared to those in the no risk category. For example, the OR of having hypertension for those in the very high risk category of the NICE obesity groupings was 2.57 (95% confidence interval 2.06 to 3.21) in men, and 2.15 (1.75 to 2.64) in women. Moreover, a dose-response association between the adiposity groups and most of the CVD risk factors was observed except total cholesterol in men and low HDL in women. Similar results were apparent when the Framingham risk score was the outcome of interest. In conclusion, the current NICE definitions of obesity show utility for a range of CVD risk factors and CVD risk in both men and women.

Body mass index and risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of a population with more than ten million from 24 prospective studies

BACKGROUND

To provide a quantitative assessment of the association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of gastric cancer, we summarized the evidence from prospective studies.

METHODS

Eligible studies published up to November 30, 2012, were retrieved via computer searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE as well as manual review of references. Summary relative risks (SRR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 24 prospective studies of BMI and gastric cancer risk with 41,791 cases were included in our analysis. Overall, both overweight (BMI, 25-30 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI, ≥30 kg/m(2)) were not associated with risk of total gastric cancer (overweight: SRR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.96-1.07; obesity: SRR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.99-1.12). Furthermore, we found increased BMI was positively associated with the risk of gastric cardia cancer (GCC; SRR = 1.21 for overweight and 1.82 for obesity), but not with gastric non-cardia cancer (GNCC; SRR = 0.93 for overweight and SRR = 1.00 for obesity). Similar results were observed in a linear dose-response analysis.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of meta-analysis of prospective studies, we find high BMI is positively associated with the risk of GCCs but not with GNCCs.

IMPACT

(i) On the basis of more definite and quantitative evidence than previously available, we found that increasing BMI was not a clear risk factor for total gastric cancer. (ii) Increased BMI was positively associated with risk of GCC but not with GNCCs.

New advances in models and strategies for developing anti-obesity drugs

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic. Obesity-related health and economic costs are staggering. Existing strategies to combat obesity through lifestyle improvements and medical intervention have had limited success. Pharmacotherapy, in combination with lifestyle modification, may play a vital role in reversing the disease burden. However, past and current weight-loss medications have had serious safety risks, notably cardiovascular and psychiatric events.

AREAS COVERED

The authors review the strategies for designing new anti-obesity drugs by describing those currently in development. They describe their target, mechanism of action and developmental or regulatory status. Furthermore, they discuss the problem of weight regain following weight loss, and its relevance to the long-term success of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy.

EXPERT OPINION

For weight management drugs to achieve the safety and efficacy required to be impactful, current studies are uncovering and characterizing new targets, including new signaling circuits and hormones regulating appetite and metabolism, and re-evaluating the role of pharmacotherapy in weight management. To avoid the safety failures of many past weight-loss drugs, the models and strategies covered in this article incorporate recent advances in knowledge and technology. We discuss the emergence of cGMP signaling as a potentially transformative target in weight management. Modulating cGMP signaling may represent an ideal goal for an anti-obesity pharmacotherapy, reflecting some of the major themes described in the present review: targeting pathways that are newly realized as relevant for weight management; promoting safety by re-purposing drugs that are safe, proven, and approved for clinical use; and having a synergistic effect on multiple, reinforcing pathways.

Mechanisms of Weight Regain following Weight Loss

Obesity is a world-wide pandemic and its incidence is on the rise along with associated comorbidities. Currently, there are few effective therapies to combat obesity. The use of lifestyle modification therapy, namely, improvements in diet and exercise, is preferable over bariatric surgery or pharmacotherapy due to surgical risks and issues with drug efficacy and safety. Although they are initially successful in producing weight loss, such lifestyle intervention strategies are generally unsuccessful in achieving long-term weight maintenance, with the vast majority of obese patients regaining their lost weight during followup. Recently, various compensatory mechanisms have been elucidated by which the body may oppose new weight loss, and this compensation may result in weight regain back to the obese baseline. The present review summarizes the available evidence on these compensatory mechanisms, with a focus on weight loss-induced changes in energy expenditure, neuroendocrine pathways, nutrient metabolism, and gut physiology. These findings have added a major focus to the field of antiobesity research. In addition to investigating pathways that induce weight loss, the present work also focuses on pathways that may instead prevent weight regain. Such strategies will be necessary for improving long-term weight loss maintenance and outcomes for patients who struggle with obesity.

The importance of nutrition, diet and lifestyle advice for cancer survivors - the role of nursing staff and interprofessional workers

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine current guidelines and the evidence base to illustrate the importance of nutrition, diet and lifestyle advice to support people who have survived cancer and help them integrate back into normal life, improve their quality of life and potentially improve their chance of long-term survival.

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors need to know about nutrition and other lifestyle behaviour changes to help them recover and potentially reduce the risk of the same cancer recurring or a new cancer developing. From this perspective, frontline registered nurses are in a prime position to support cancer survivors who are in their care.

DESIGN

Discursive paper.

METHODS

On the basis of the international research evidence and a critical analysis of recent policy and practice literature, themes emerged, which illustrate the importance of nutrition, diet and lifestyle advice for cancer survivors. This paper discusses the need for more focused education and greater interprofessional working for quality care delivery.

CONCLUSION

New professional guidance for emerging frontline nurses indicates they should be able to provide appropriate and more consistent advice on nutritional issues, physical activity and weight management, although more research is needed to understand the right mode of nutrition training. Additionally, interprofessional working needs improving as well as encouraging cancer survivors to respond.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

High-quality nutrition education and training is required for nurses working across both the acute and primary care sectors. They require this to effectively monitor and advise patients and to know when, where and from whom they can access more specialist help. Interprofessional collaborative working across multi-centre settings (National Health Service and non-National Health Service) is key to provide the best effective care and support for cancer survivors.

Obesity is associated with worse outcomes in patients with T1 high grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

To our knowledge the impact of body mass index on oncologic outcomes in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that higher body mass index is associated with worse outcomes in patients with clinical primary T1 high grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 892 patients with primary nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer from 7 centers. Patients were treated with transurethral resection of the bladder with or without intravesical therapy. Body mass index was analyzed as a continuous and a categorical variable (nonobese-body mass index less than 30 kg/m(2) vs obese-body mass index 30 kg/m(2) or greater). Disease progression was defined as the development of T2 or higher tumor stage.

RESULTS

Median followup was 42.8 months (IQR 56). Of the patients 44.3% were obese and median body mass index was 29.2 kg/m(2) (IQR 8). On univariable analyses higher body mass index and age were associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence, progression, cancer specific mortality and any cause mortality (all p ≤ 0.001). On multivariable analyses that adjusted for the effects of gender, concomitant carcinoma in situ, tumor size, number of tumors and intravesical therapy, higher body mass index and age remained independent predictors of disease recurrence, progression, cancer specific mortality and any cause mortality (all p <0.05). This study was limited by its design (ie lack of data on repeat transurethral resection of the bladder and intravesical therapy protocol).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients diagnosed with clinical T1 high grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder who are obese have worse cancer specific outcomes compared to their nonobese counterparts. Further work is needed to improve our understanding of clinical T1 high grade outcomes in the growing population of obese patients.

Recreational physical activity, body mass index, and survival in women with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous studies have shown that physical inactivity and obesity are risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer. However, controversy exists regarding the influence of these factors on survival in colorectal cancer patients. We evaluated the impact of recreational physical activity and body mass index (BMI) before and after colorectal cancer diagnosis on disease-specific mortality and all-cause mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 1,339 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative study who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer subsequent to study enrollment. BMI and recreational physical activity were measured before cancer diagnosis at study entry (pre-diagnostic) and after diagnosis at study follow-up interviews (post-diagnostic). We used Cox regression to estimate the association between pre- and post-diagnostic exposures and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among women diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 265 (13 %) deaths occurred during a median study follow-up of 11.9 years, of which 171 (65 %) were attributed to colorectal cancer. Compared with women reporting no pre-diagnostic recreational physical activity, those reporting activity levels of ≥18 MET-h/week had significantly lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.68; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.41-1.13) and all-cause mortality (HR = 0.63; 95 % CI: 0.42-0.96). Similar inverse associations were seen for post-diagnostic recreational physical activity. Neither pre- nor post-diagnostic BMI were associated with mortality after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Recreational physical activity before and after colorectal cancer diagnosis, but not BMI, is associated with more favorable survival.

Excess body mass index and risk of liver cancer: a nonlinear dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background

Excess body weight measured as body mass index (BMI) has a positive association with risk of common cancers. However, previous meta-analyses related to BMI and liver cancer had inconsistent results. The purpose of the current study is to establish a nonlinear dose-response relationship between BMI and incidence risk of liver cancer.

Methods

A systematic literature search for relevant articles published from 1966 to November 2011 was conducted in PUBMED and EMBASE digital databases. Additional articles were manually searched by using the reference lists of identified papers. Restricted cubic splines and generalized least-squares regression methods were used to model a potential curvilinear relationship and to make a dose-response meta-analysis. Stratified analysis, sensitivity analysis and assessment of bias were performed in our meta-analysis.

Results

8 articles including 1,779,471 cohort individuals were brought into meta-analysis. A non-linear dose-response association between BMI and risk of liver cancer was visually significant (P for nonlinearity<0.001), besides, the point value of BMI also enhanced the results quantitatively, where relative risks were 1.02 (95%CI = 1.02–1.03), 1.35 (95%CI = 1.24–1.47) and 2.22-fold (95%CI = 1.74–2.83) when BMI was at the point of 25, 30 and 35 kg/m² compared with reference (the median value of the lowest category), respectively. The ethnicity of the population was found as the main source of heterogeneity. In subsequent stratified analysis, no evidence of heterogeneity was showed in Asian and White populations (P for heterogeneity>0.1), and all value of BMI still presented significantly increased risk of cancer.

Conclusions

The findings from meta-analysis provided that excess BMI had significant increased association with risk of liver cancer, although the biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-cancer link still need to be clarified.

Body mass index and risk of primary liver cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

Questions remain about the dose-response relationship between body mass index (BMI) and primary liver cancer (PLC) risk, possible confounding by hepatitis virus infection, and differences by gender or geographic location. We performed a meta-analysis of prospective studies to explore these issues.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase for studies of BMI and risk of PLC through November 30, 2011. Summary relative risks with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 21 prospective studies (including 17,624 PLC cases) were included in our analysis. The summary relative risk for a 5-unit increment in BMI (in kg/m(2)) was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.25-1.55), with high heterogeneity. These positive results were robust when stratified by sex, geographic location, ascertainment of exposure and outcome, the number of cases, duration of follow-up, sample source, and cofounders. There was evidence of a nonlinear association between BMI and PLC risk, with the most pronounced increase in risk among persons with a BMI >32 kg/m(2). Patients with hepatitis C virus or cirrhosis (but not patients with hepatitis B virus) with excess weight had a higher risk of PLC development than general populations with excess weight.

CONCLUSION

Excess weight increases PLC risk. For people with HCV infection or cirrhosis, risk increases are greater than for general population.

Excess body weight and the risk of primary liver cancer: an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies

AIMS

To provide a quantitative assessment of the association between excess body weight (EBW) and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC), we performed an updated meta-analysis of prospective observational studies.

METHODS

We searched PUBMED and EMBASE for studies of body mass index and the risk of PLC published through 15 th September 2011. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. The meta-regression and stratified methods were used to examine heterogeneity across studies.

RESULTS

A total of 26 prospective studies, including 25,337 PLC cases, were included in this analysis. Overall, excess body weight (EBW: body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were associated with an increased risk of PLC, with significant heterogeneity (EBW: SRRs 1.48, 95% CIs 1.31-1.67, P(h)<0.001, I2=83.6%; Obesity: SRRs 1.83, 95% CIs 1.59-2.11, P(h)<0.001, I2=75.0%). Subgroup analyses revealed that the positive associations were independent of geographic locations, alcohol consumption, history of diabetes or infections with hepatitis B (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Obese males had a higher risk of PLC than obese females did (P=0.027). A stronger risk of PLC with EBW was observed for patients with HCV (but not HBV) infection or cirrhosis compared with the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this meta-analysis strongly support that EBW or obesity is associated with an increased risk of PLC in both males and females.