Advanced, metastatic melanomas frequently grow in subcutaneous tissues and portend a
poor prognosis. Though subcutaneous tissues are largely composed of adipocytes, the
mechanisms by which adipocytes influence melanoma are poorly understood. Using in vitro
and in vivo models, we find that adipocytes increase proliferation and invasion of adjacent
melanoma cells. Additionally, adipocytes directly transfer lipids to melanoma cells, which
alters tumor cell metabolism. Adipocyte-derived lipids are transferred to melanoma cells …