Exploring the biological mechanisms behind the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and an increased risk of ALL in children

Exploring the biological mechanisms behind the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and an increased risk of ALL in children

Published in Leukemia Research, researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School examined the possible biological mechanisms that could explain the association between being overweight or obese before pregnancy and the increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.

Recent research has suggested that increasing rates of overweight and obesity in people of childbearing age in recent decades may be contributing to a concomitant increase in rates of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. However, it is not known how maternal obesity may impact overall development.”

Andrew Marley, MPH, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, U of M Medical School

According to researchers, explanations for this potentially increased risk include:

• Veränderungen in der Epigenetik des Fötus oder Neugeborenen –; oder Verhaltens- und Umweltfaktoren, die die Funktionsweise von Genen beeinflussen können.
• Veränderte Profile von insulinähnlichen Wachstumsfaktoren und Insulinresistenz.
• Modifiziertes Adipokin –; oder Zellsignalproteine ​​aus Fettgewebe –; Produktion und Sekretion.
• Veränderungen der Immunzellpopulationen.
• Auswirkungen auf das Geburtsgewicht und das Körpergewicht im Kindesalter.

The research team found that there are biologically sound reasons for each of these mechanisms, as they are influenced by obesity, can be observed in fetuses or newborns, and have been documented in pediatric ALL patients at the time of diagnosis. They have also been linked to ALL developments.

“This review is important because if we identify the mechanisms behind this association, we can offer better and more tailored approaches to treatment and prevention,” said Dr. Marley.

Although reasons for a link between pre-pregnancy obesity and the development of leukemia in children have been suggested, the evidence still remains circumstantial. Further research is recommended to find a biological signature linking pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity to leukemia risk in children. Researchers say more specific epidemiological and clinical research could help better understand the link and improve future prevention and treatment efforts.

Source:

University of Minnesota Medical School

Reference:

Marley, AR, et al. (2022) Maternal obesity and acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk in offspring: A summary of trends, epidemiological evidence, and possible biological mechanisms. Leukemia research. doi.org/10.1016/j.leukres.2022.106924.