Herein, we investigated the clinical value and functions of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) polymorphisms and RCC and investigate whether individuals with an ADIPOQ risk genotype, obesity, and high urinary total arsenic levels have a modified odds ratio (OR) of RCC.
Leptin, visfatin, apelin, resistin and adiponectin are peptide hormones secreted by adipocytes; it is considered that these may affect RCC development by exerting effects on proliferation, cell growth and inflammation.
After adjustment for potential confounders, non-significant associations with RCC were observed for total adiponectin (OR for highest vs. lowest quartile = 0.65, 95% CI 0.37-1.14; p <sub>trend</sub> = 0.35), HMW adiponectin (0.67, 0.38-1.17; p <sub>trend</sub> = 0.36), IGF-1 (1.35, 0.77-2.39; p <sub>trend</sub> = 0.17), IGFBP-3 (1.47, 0.83-2.62; p <sub>trend</sub> = 0.53), and C-peptide (1.52, 0.86-2.70; p <sub>trend</sub> = 0.15).
These findings suggest that deficiencies in the entire adiponectin hormonal axis (the hormone and its receptor) result in underactivation of AMPK leading to increased angiogenic and invasive capacities of RCC.