Obesity and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: Gene Expression Patterns Within Cervical Cancer Progression

Sep 23, 2026

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Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge, while obesity continues to rise worldwide. Dysregulated pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines foster chronic inflammation that contributes to disease development, including cancer. This study measured TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF gene expression during cervical cancer progression across weight categories (normal weight, overweight, obese) to clarify cytokine transcriptional changes linked to lesion severity and BMI.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages10

Reading Time25 min

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Abstract

Background/Aim

Materials and Methods

Results

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Introduction

Materials and Methods

doi: 10.21873/invivo.14297 Obesity and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: Gene Expression Patterns Within Cervical Cancer Progression ISUIABRIL GARCÍA-MONTOYA1, LIVIER PICAZO-PÉREZ1, ANA LIDIA ARELLANO-ORTIZ1, MAURICIO SALCEDO-VARGAS2, JUAN CARLOS SILVA-ESPINOZA3 and FLORINDA JIMÉNEZ-VEGA1 1 Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, México; 2 Unidad de Investigación Biomédica y Oncológica Genómica. Hospital de Gineco Pediatría 3 A, OOAD CDMX Norte, Instituto Mexicano delSeguro Social, Ciudad de México, México; 3 Department of Biological Science and Border Biomedical Research, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, U.S.A. Abstract Background/Aim: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant global health concern, characterized by high incidence rates. Concurrently, the obesity epidemic continues to expand, affecting millions worldwide. Dysregulation of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines can promote chronic inflammation, which contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the gene expression levels ofTNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF during CC progression in patients across different weight categories: normal weight, overweight, and obese. Materials and Methods: Cervical samples were classified according to cervical diagnosis and body mass index (BMI) . Gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF were assessed through PCR, and the Relative Expression Index was calculated using the 18S gene as a housekeeping reference. Results: Eighty-one women from the Colposcopy Clinic of Health Jurisdiction II in Ciudad Juarez were evaluated and classified into four groups: no intraepithelial lesion (NIL) (n=18), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)(n=22), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (n=24), and CC (n=17). These groups were also classified based on BMI. The overexpression ofTNF-α (p=0.036), IL-6, and IL-10 increased with the severity of cervical lesions, whereas IL-8 expression was suppressed (p=0.53) as cervical pathology progressed. According to BMI, a trend toward overexpression of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α was observed with increasing adipose tissue in HSIL and CC. On the other hand, IL-8 and VEGF expression appeared to be repressed regardless of intraepithelial lesion grade or obesity status. Conclusion: Obesity is a risk factor for the development of CC by promoting a proinflammatory environment combined with a VPH infection. Keywords: Cervical cancer, obesity, cytokines. CMiuodnadtoJyua,árezUniv, Chersiihduaahua,d AutCón. Po. 32ma31de0, MCiuédxaicod J.uTeárle:z+, 52Av. 65Pl668utar8180co El0 EíasxCta177lles9\#,e12-m10ailFo: fjviimensssteez@uacChamijz.mal,xC; iDrud. IasduJiuAbárreizl, Dr. Florinda Jiménez-Vega, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Av. Plutarco Elías Calles \#1210 Fovissste Chamizal, Chihuahua, C.P. 32310, México. Tel: +52 6566881800 Ext 1779, e-mail: [isui.garcia@uacj.mx](isui.garcia@uacj.mx) [Received January 22](Received January 22), 2026 | Revised February 23, 2026 | Accepted March 11, 2026 This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ©2026 The Author(s) . Anticancer Research is published by the International Institute of Anticancer Research. Introduction Cytokines are low-molecular-weight proteins produced by various immune cells, such as macrophages, B and T lymphocytes, neutrophils, etc. They serve as mediators of intracellular signaling and are integral to immune modulation and inflammatory processes, encompassing both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses (1, 2) . Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous high-mortality diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer (3-5). Proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α

FAQs

Which cytokines and factors were evaluated in cervical cancer progression?

The study assessed gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF during different stages of cervical cancer progression.

How were cervical lesions and obesity status determined in the study?

Participants were classified by cervical diagnosis into NIL, LSIL, HSIL, and CC groups, and samples were also categorized by BMI.

What overall relationship did the results show between obesity, inflammation, and cervical cancer?

Findings support obesity as a risk factor for cervical cancer development by promoting a proinflammatory environment together with VPH infection.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai