How Fat Cells Fuel Aggressive Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is tough to treat. It doesn't respond well to common therapies. But why? Recent research points to fat cells nearby. These fat cells change in ways that help cancer grow and spread. Normally, fat cells store energy. But in TNBC, they lose fat and become inflamed. This isn't good. The changed fat cells send signals to cancer cells. These signals help cancer cells grow and spread. Scientists found two key signals: ANGPTL4 and KLF4. These signals make cancer cells use more sugar. This gives them energy to grow and spread. It's like giving a car more fuel to drive faster. But how do fat cells change? They interact with cancer cells. This changes their behavior. The exact details are still unclear. But it's clear that fat cells play a big role in TNBC. This research is important. It shows that fat cells aren't just passive. They can actively help cancer grow. This could lead to new treatments. Targeting these signals might help stop cancer.