Research progress on cancer-promoting mechanisms of high-fat diet

Cancer is the leading cause of death in China and many other countries. In addition to individual lifestyle choices, environmental factors and pathogenic infection, unhealthy dietary pattern, particularly high-fat diet (HFD), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that HFD can initiate carcinogenesis by promoting intestinal microbial dysbiosis, inducing chronic inflammation, reprogramming metabolic pathways, and impairing anti-cancer immunity. These HFD-induced alterations contribute to angiogenesis, cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. This study summarizes the current knowledge on how HFD promotes the initiation and progression of cancer. This review provides new ideas for the prevention and/or alleviation of cancer, and the development of functional foods.