The Role of Omentin-1 in Cancers Development and Progression

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Adipocytes associated with visceral adipose tissue release omentin-1 (also known as intelectin-1), an adipokine whose gene is located at the chromosomal region 1q22–q23. This adipokine has been linked to type 2 diabetes in several populations. Omentin-1 is an anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic adipokine that helps adipocytes communicate with surrounding tissues to regulate glucose and fat metabolism. Higher omentin-1 expression has been reported in a number of malignancies, including liver cancer, prostate cancer, colon and colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and breast cancer. This review discusses the role of omentin-1 in the process of cancer development and progression. ABSTRACT: Adipose tissue serves as an energy store and is also an active endocrine organ, exerting activity that influences obesity-related processes through the production of regulatory proteins called adipokines or adipocytokines. Adipokines play important direct and indirect roles in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, the regulation of local and systemic inflammatory processes, and related metabolic complications. There have been an increasing number of studies showing the relationship between some adipokines and carcinogenesis. This work reviews the current literature concerning the effects of omentin-1 on carcinogenesis.