The dysfunctional adipocyte - a cancer cell's best friend

The interactions of adipocytes with tumour cells have been extensively scrutinized. The adipocyte's mitogenic influence on tumour cells is attributed to several hormonal, growth factor and adipokine effects. A recent study has expanded our understanding of how adipocytes promote tumour progression by demonstrating that adipocytes actively catabolize the chemotherapeutic agent daunorubicin.