Figure 4.

Targeting insulin/IGF signaling may attenuate the pro-tumor effects of obesity. Obesity is associated with higher insulin and bioavailable IGF-I levels which, in cooperation with chronic inflammation, contributes to greater risk and progression of many cancers. The pro-tumor effects of obesity can be mitigated directly by obesity reversal using calorie restriction and increased physical activity. Pharmaceutical interventions targeting obesity-associated insulin/IGF and inflammatory signaling or their downstream effectors may also improve patient risk and outcome.