Breast cancer metastasis is a major cause of mortality in women with cancer, and the role of the breast microenvironment in this process is significant. Adipocytes within breast adipose tissue are the predominant cells in the breast and contribute to metastasis through the secretion of various factors such as leptin, adiponectin and cytokines, which promote cancer cell proliferation and migration. Understanding the collective impact of adipocyte-secreted factors on breast cancer cell behavior is important for developing effective therapies. In this work, a proof-of-concept study was conducted to validate methods for culturing lean and obese adipocytes through assessment of metabolic activity, glucose and triglyceride levels. Co-cultures with breast cancer cells allowed observation of the impact of obese adipocytes on tumor cell behavior, including cell proliferation and migration over time. This work explores the interactions between adipocytes and breast cancer cells, towards identifying the impacts of the microenvironment on cancer progression.
