Leptin as a Biomarker of Cancer Prognosis: A Friend of Colorectal Cancer

Leptin as a Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

This review aims to evaluate the role of the peptide hormone leptin in the initiation and progression of cancer, with a particular focus on colorectal cancer (CRC). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed databases to identify relevant studies published from 2020 and 2025. Articles investigating the influence of leptin and its receptors on cancer development and progression, particularly in CRC, were included without language restrictions. This review highlights that leptin promotes cancer progression by abrogating the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, across the reviewed articles, some studies reported no causal relationship no statistically significant association between leptin and CRC. Although some articles report that leptin and its receptor have no association with the development and progression of cancer, the majority of articles implicate leptin in the development and progression of cancer, mainly in CRC. Due to these discrepancies, there is an urgent need for additional studies employing meticulously designed, standardized methodologies and rigorous control measures to annihilate potential confounding factors. These conflicting findings may be explained by differences in study designs and confounding factors, such as obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for various forms of cancer and can trigger CRC by causing cellular changes such as mitochondrial dysfunction. In such cases, increased leptin levels may not directly mean that leptin causes CRC. Although evidence suggests a potential role for leptin in the development and progression of CRC, inconsistencies in the literature underscore the need for further research. Future studies should employ standardized methodologies and rigorous control for confounders to clarify leptin’s mechanistic and clinical relevance in colorectal carcinogenesis.