In a new study, researchers found that above average or high BMI—often linked to cancers, diabetes, heart, and other diseases—may in some cases improve the chance of survival among certain cancers.
This is surprising because it contrasts with regular warnings about the health risks of patients who are overweight and obese.
The research was conducted by a team from Flinders University in Australia.
The WHO estimates at least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.
Overweight and obesity lead to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance.
Risks of coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus increase steadily with increasing body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight relative to height.
Previous studies have explored a concept called ‘obesity paradox’ where obesity is linked to increased risks for developing certain cancers and, counter-intuitively, may protect and give greater survival benefits in certain individuals.
In the study, the team used data from clinical studies of atezolizumab, a common immunotherapy treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Of the 1434 participants studied in the research, 49% were normal weight, 34% were overweight and 7% were obese.
They found improved responsiveness to the drug in those with a high body mass index (BMI).
Patients with high BMI (BMI > 25 kg/m2) in four clinical studies had a big reduction in death risk with atezolizumab.
The study provides new evidence to support the hypothesis that high BMI and obesity may be associated with response to immunotherapy.
The team says future studies need to examine the possible link between BMI and related inflammation, which might help to understand the mechanisms behind paradoxical response to this form of cancer treatment.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Ganessan Kichenadasse, a medical oncology researcher at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer.
The study is published in JAMA Oncology.
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