comparison of serum leptin levels among patients with benign or malignant breast lesions

background: studies have shown that obese individuals are at increased risk of breast cancer development and poorer prognosis. leptin, an adipose tissue-derived hormone, has pro-inflammatory and proliferative effects and a well-established association with several comorbidities of obesity. this study was designed and conducted to compare the serum levels of leptin in patients with malignant and benign breast lesions. methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in research center of cancer institute, tehran, iran between 2010 and 2011. sixty-five patients with breast cancer and 65 bmi-matched patients with benign breast lesions were enrolled in this study. the serum leptin level was measured by the elisa method and compared between the two groups. results: a total of 130 patients were collected. the mean bmi in benign and malignant groups was 25.2±3.2 and 25.8±3.8 (kg/m2), respectively. circulating levels of leptin were 20.05±14.69 vs. 14.74±10.16 ml in malignant and benign groups, respectively (p=0.011). a positive correlation was observed between bmi and leptin concentration (r = 0.431, p < 0.001). leptins levels were not associated with the patients’ age (p = 0.108), menstrual status (p = 0.214), and history of ocp use (p = 0.269). conclusions: our findings suggest that patients with breast cancer have significantly higher levels of leptin compared to those with benign lesions.