Figure 7. Schematic representation of the proposed role of PPAT in the local dissemination of prostate cancer and its amplification in obesity.

Mature adipocytes secrete the chemokine CCL7, which diffuses through the capsule to the peripheral zone of the prostate. The interaction between CCL7 and the CCR3 receptor, expressed by invasive tumour cells, promote their migration outside of the prostate gland. Hypertrophic adipocytes secrete larger amounts of CCL7, which increases adipocyte-dependent directed migration facilitating extraprostatic extension in obesity.