Background: Many studies have investigated the association between obesity, adipose tissue-derived factors (leptin and adiponectin) and prostate cancer (CaP) but the results are still inconsistent.
Methods: The aim of this study was to carry out a comprehensive review of the existing evidence about the role of leptin and adiponectin in prostate carcinogenesis and to provide an overview of it.
Results: Recent evidence suggests that leptin may play a rol in prostate cancer progression, while adiponectin may act as an "antiprostatic cancer" adipokine.
Conclusions: Obesity may promote the progression of established prostate cancer and and adipokines may provide a molecular mechanism whereby obesity exerts its effects on prostate tumour biology.