The Insight Corner Hub: Unraveling a Century-Old Secret: The Hidden Mechanism Connecting Diabetes and Cancer

Introduction

Cancer and diabetes are two of the most prevalent and devastating diseases in the world. But what if they are also connected in a way that has been overlooked for a century? A new study reveals that cancer cells respond poorly to insulin, leading to insulin resistance, which can cause cancer cells to multiply faster and affect muscle mass, emphasizing the negative link between cancer and insulin resistance. The research encourages oncologists to vigilantly monitor blood sugar levels in cancer patients and calls for more studies to explore effective treatments and identify at-risk groups.

The mystery of the sweet-smelling urine

In the 1920s, scientists found that the urine of cancer patients had a sweet odor. Initially, this left doctors perplexed, but they quickly realized that it was due to increased levels of blood sugar. This suggested that cancer affects the body’s blood sugar level. But how?

A new study is ready to answer that question. Where previous studies have examined the connection between cancer and diabetes, Lykke Sylow and colleagues’ new study is the first to compile the best research on the topic, and the answer seems to be clear: “In cancer patients, the cells do not respond well to the hormone insulin. It therefore takes more insulin to create the same effect in cancer patients. If you suffer from insulin resistance, your body has to produce more insulin than usual to be able to regulate the blood sugar,” says Lykke Sylow, who is one of the main authors of the new study [1,2].

Insulin resistance is a condition that typically affects people with type 2 diabetes, where the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can damage various organs and tissues. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes such as fatigue and increased thirst and urination develop gradually and can therefore be hard to spot. And in cancer patients, insulin resistance can be even harder to identify as they already experience some of these symptoms, e.g. fatigue.

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies of insulin sensitivity and cancer. This included 187 patients suffering from different types of cancer, including lung and colon cancer, and 154 control subjects. They only included studies applying the so-called gold standard, which is a very precise way of analyzing insulin sensitivity in humans.

Insulin can cause cancer cells to multiply

Aside from the negative consequences of insulin resistance, the condition can also cause cancer cells to multiply faster. “We know from cell studies, animal studies, and some human studies that insulin is a growth hormone and that it has the same effect on cancer cells. That is, a high level of insulin can make cancer cells grow faster,” says the second main author of the study, Joan Màrmol [1,2,3].

This means that insulin resistance not only affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, but also stimulates the growth and spread of tumors. Moreover, insulin resistance can also affect muscle mass, which is important for maintaining strength and quality of life in cancer patients.

The researchers emphasize that their findings do not imply that people with diabetes are more likely to develop cancer, but rather that people who already have cancer may experience worse outcomes if they also have insulin resistance. They also point out that there are many factors that influence both diseases, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.

The need for more awareness and research

The researchers hope that their study will raise awareness among oncologists and other health professionals about the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels in cancer patients and treating insulin resistance if necessary. They also call for more research to explore effective interventions and identify groups of patients who are at higher risk of developing insulin resistance.

“Our study shows that there is a clear connection between cancer and insulin resistance. This has been overlooked for too long. We need more studies to understand how we can prevent or treat this condition in cancer patients and improve their prognosis,” says Lykke Sylow [1,2].

References

1. Collins, C. (2023, September 11). Unraveling a Century-Old Secret – The Hidden Mechanism Connecting Diabetes and Cancer. SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/unraveling-a-century-old-secret-the-hidden-mechanism-connecting-diabetes-and-cancer/
2. SciTechDaily. (2023, September 11). Unraveling a Century-Old Secret – The Hidden Mechanism Connecting Diabetes and Cancer. Head Topics. https://headtopics.com/us/unraveling-a-century-old-secret-the-hidden-mechanism-connecting-diabetes-and-cancer-44064640
3. University of Copenhagen – The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. (2023, September 11). Unraveling a Century-Old Secret – The Hidden Mechanism Connecting Diabetes and Cancer – Total News. https://totalnews.com/unraveling-a-century-old-secret-the-hidden-mechanism-connecting-diabetes-and-cancer/