Abstract C57: Obesity induced leptin-tumor stroma crosstalk in breast cancer: A link to cancer health disparity

Breast cancer cells can change tumor stromal cells by promoting growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Obesity is a risk factor of breast cancer, which is characterized by high levels of leptin. African American women show the highest incidence of obesity, most aggressive breast cancer, and highest mortality rate. Adipocytes and breast cancer cells synthesize leptin, which is a survival, pro-angiogenic, and proliferation factor for...