Marek Pytliak, Viola Vargová, Viola Mechírová, Alena Pidaničová
Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the relationship between the two most known adipocytokines, leptin and adiponectin, and the risk of development of renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods: The authors review the current literature on the link between concentration of selected adipocytokines in renal cell carcinoma development and progression. They discuss biological effects and possible pathomechanisms and pathways, in which these hormones produced by adipocytes could participate on oncogenesis. Results: Kidney cancers account for 2-3 % of new cases of cancer and they are the third leading urological malignancies. Etiological factors include lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, and/or antihypertensive therapy. There is an increasing epidemic of obesity worldwide, especially in developed countries. Obesity has become a leading global health problem owing to its strong association with a high incidence of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, etc. Link between obesity and cancer has been also strongly documented, especially for endometrial cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and renal cell cancer. Conclusion: Exact mechanism(s) of effects of leptin or adiponectin in renal cell carcinoma oncogenesis are not known yet, but there are some suggestions, that the main effect is through proteinkinase pathways. These findings opens new horizons in the therapy of renal cell carcinoma and other kidney malignancies, but large clinical randomized studies are needed to provide more data.