copenhagen denmark — Metabolic dysfunction, particularly diabetes, has long been associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including those of the colon, breast, liver, pancreas, ovary, and uterus. More importantly, it is associated with worse cancer outcomes, including increased recurrence and death. Insulin resistance, a condition in which the body does not respond well to insulin, is an important aspect of this dysfunction. Now, Danish researchers have uncovered an important link between cancer and type 2 diabetes, which could change the approach to cancer treatment and patient care.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 187 cancer patients and 154 healthy control participants. They focused on high-quality studies using gold standard methods to systematically review and analyze data on insulin sensitivity in cancer patients.
This analysis revealed that cancer patients exhibit significant insulin resistance compared to healthy individuals. Specifically, these patients have significantly lower glucose disposal rates, indicating impaired insulin function. This level of insulin resistance was comparable to or exceeded that seen in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and is important for maintaining blood sugar levels. The results of this study are consistent with recent reports showing an increased risk of diabetes in cancer patients.
Interestingly, insulin resistance can also cause rapid proliferation of cancer cells. Insulin acts as a growth hormone. This means that increased insulin levels can promote cancer cell growth. This can be a serious problem for cancer patients and worsen their symptoms. Additionally, insulin resistance can cause muscle protein breakdown, leading to loss of muscle mass and strength. This is especially concerning for cancer patients, who already face a variety of symptoms and challenges.
This study suggests that direct effects of cancer, cancer treatment, and risk factors common to both cancer and insulin resistance (such as obesity and physical inactivity) may contribute to this observed insulin resistance. This suggests that there is a possibility that Treatments such as chemotherapy and certain medications, as well as lifestyle factors, can play a role.
“The next step is to identify who is developing insulin resistance. Which cancer patients are at risk here? Do we have a factor? Or perhaps it is related to treatment,” Associate Professor Lucke Schiro said in the paper. media release. “Once we can identify people at high risk of developing the disease, we hope to see further long-term studies looking at insulin resistance treatments and whether they have a positive effect on patients.”
Addressing insulin resistance may be an important step in cancer treatment given its impact on patient outcomes. Simple methods such as HOMA, QUICKI, and Mazda index could potentially be used in the clinic to measure insulin resistance. Additionally, managing insulin resistance may help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and other related complications.
Physical activity is also a well-known way to combat insulin resistance. This study highlights the potential of exercise in managing insulin resistance in cancer patients, but further research is needed to tailor these interventions to different cancer types.
Although this study was insightful, it had limitations including the small number of patients and the diversity of the study population. Additionally, the underlying causes of insulin resistance in cancer patients remain unclear and require further research.
The findings highlight the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels in cancer patients, even when they appear normal. Insulin resistance can be difficult to detect because the body compensates by producing more insulin. Early identification of insulin resistance allows oncologists to implement targeted treatments. However, there are still aspects of the relationship between cancer and insulin resistance that require further investigation.
The research will be published in a journal acta oncologica.