Hormone from fat cells could fight breast cancer, Emory researchers say

A “guardian angel” hormone produced by fat cells could become a tool to fight breast cancer, said scientists at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute.

These researchers have discovered that adiponectin, which is produced by fat cells, can reduce breast cancer cells’ ability to migrate and invade other tissues.

Their results were published online June 1 preceding print publication in the journal Oncogene.

The class of anti-diabetic drugs known as thiazolidinediones has been shown to turn on adiponectin, so they represent one possible option for breast cancer treatment.