Increased Levels of COX-2 and Prostaglandin E2 Contribute to Elevated Aromatase Expression in Inflamed Breast Tissue of Obese Women

Abstract

We show that obesity-associated inflammatory foci in the human breast are associated with elevated COX-2 levels and activation of the PGE2 → cAMP → PKA signal transduction pathway resulting in increased aromatase expression. These findings help to explain the link among obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, and breast cancer with important clinical implications.