Human adipocyte apoptosis occurs in malignancy.

Rapid weight loss is frequently seen in malignancy. This weight loss is considered to result from enhanced lipolysis. Here, we show that adipocyte deletion by apoptosis, demonstrated by electron microscopy and DNA gel electrophoresis, occurs in some patients. Adipocyte apoptosis could not be demonstrated in patients without malignancy. These findings suggest that fat cell loss by apoptosis plays a role in malignancy-associated weight loss.