Fig. 3.
The role of thermogenic adipose tissue in malignancy. Polypeptides, metabolites, or other certain mediators derived from cancerous cells initial the conversion of white-to-beige locally and distantly. On the one hand, activated beige adipocytes in SAT lead to lipolysis and energy expenditure, subsequently contributing to cancer-associated cachexia. On the other hand, the adjacent thermogenic fat can directly promote tumor growth and metastasis by secreting specific molecules, such as lactate. Accordingly, pharmacologically inhibiting the browning of white adipose tissue slows cancer progression and improves the outcomes for patients. ZAG zinc-α2-glycoprotein, PTHRP parathyroid-hormone-related protein, LIF leukemia inhibitory factor, GDF15 growth differentiation factor 15, ADM adrenomedullin, IL-6 the cytokine interleukin-6, β3-AR β3-adrenergic receptor, TKI tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Arctii Fructus the extract of Arctium lappa. This figure was created on BioRender.com with permission for publication