Worsening Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

New research suggests that individuals grappling with persistent and deteriorating metabolic syndrome — encompassing conditions like hypertension, elevated glycemia, surplus visceral adiposity, and anomalous lipid profiles — confront an augmented susceptibility to various cancer forms. These discoveries are unveiled in a scholarly manuscript titled “The Correlation of Trajectories in Metabolic Syndrome Scores with the Risk of All Cancer Varieties,” published in the journal Cancer.

Within this investigation, 44,115 adult subjects in China, with an average age of 49 years, were stratified into four distinct trajectories based on trends spanning from 2006 (commencing at their initial physical examination) to 2010: 10.56% portrayed a trajectory characterized by consistently low scores in metabolic syndrome, 40.84% exhibited a trajectory denoted by moderately low scores, 41.46% displayed a trajectory characterized by persistently moderate to high scores, and 7.14% showcased a trajectory marked by an escalating trend, with initial elevated scores in metabolic syndrome surging over time.

Throughout the follow-up phase spanning from 2010 to 2021, encompassing a median follow-up duration of 9.4 years, 2,271 cancer incidences were documented among participants. In comparison to those following a low-stable trajectory, individuals following an elevated-increasing trajectory bore 1.3-, 2.1-, 3.3-, 4.5-, 2.5-, and 1.6-fold heightened risks of developing any form of cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, renal cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatic cancer, respectively.

Even upon amalgamating the low-stable, moderate-low, and moderate-high trajectory groups, individuals adhering to the elevated-increasing trajectory exhibited amplified susceptibilities to developing all cancer types.

Moreover, participants exhibiting consistently elevated metabolic syndrome scores concurrent with chronic inflammation demonstrated the highest proclivities towards developing breast, endometrial, colorectal, and hepatic cancers, whereas the likelihood of renal cancer primarily manifested among subjects with persistently elevated scores devoid of chronic inflammation.

“This study underscores the significance of proactive and sustained management of metabolic syndrome as a pivotal strategy in cancer prevention,” affirmed senior author Han-Ping Shi, MD, Ph.D., hailing from Capital Medical University, Beijing.

“Our investigation may serve as a compass for future explorations into the biological mechanisms underpinning the connection between metabolic syndrome and cancer, potentially culminating in tailored therapeutic modalities or preventive measures. Rigorous evaluation of these interventions will be imperative to ascertain their efficacy in modulating cancer risk.”

For more information: The association of metabolic syndrome scores trajectory patterns with risk of all cancer types, Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35235 , doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.35235