LEP and Insulin resistance: Research over the past few years suggested that leptin and leptin resistance are associated with increased insulin resistance [36], increased systemic inflammation (TNF-α, IL6), altered modulation of pathways implicated in oncogenesis (e.g., JAK/STAT) and angiogenesis (e.g., VEGF), representing a considerable risk factor for the development of a large variety of malignancies (breast, thyroid, endometrial and gastrointestinal) [37].