Type 2 diabetes and cancer: an umbrella review of observational and Mendelian randomisation studies

The opportunity to draw upon genetic data from large-scale, international consortia allows for triangulation of evidence using distinct methodological approaches that make orthogonal underlying assumptions and suffer from distinct sources of bias. The findings of our study support a potential causal effect of genetically predicted T2DM and/or fasting insulin levels, rather than genetically predicted fasting […]

Cancer replaces vascular disease as leading cause of excess death in diabetes

“We would expect at some point cancer would overtake vascular disease as a leading cause of death, both in the general population and among people with diabetes,” Song told Healio. “What surprises me most is the magnitude of the gap. If you look at the number for total cancer deaths, it is almost twice as […]

Lipid Metabolism and Endocrine Resistance in Prostate Cancer, and New Opportunities for Therapy

Patients that are not cured with surgery or radiation are largely treated with endocrine therapies that target androgens or the androgen receptor (AR), a major driver of PCa. In response to androgen deprivation, most PCas progress to castrate resistant PCa. Epidemiological studies suggest that high-fat diets play important roles in PCa progression. Lipid metabolism rewires […]

High-fat diet impairs immune activity, boosts tumor growth

Obesity has been linked to increased risk for over a dozen different types of cancer, as well as worse prognosis and survival. Over the years, scientists have identified obesity-related processes that drive tumor growth, such as metabolic changes and chronic inflammation, but a detailed understanding of the interplay between obesity and cancer has remained elusive. […]

Cancer cells harness insulin for performance enhancement

Endogenous hyperinsulinemia has been proposed as one of the causal factors contributing to the association between obesity, diabetes, and increased cancer risk and mortality. Previous studies have examined the mechanisms through which hyperinsulinemia promotes cancer progression, but it is not understood how hyperinsulinemia contributes to cancer incidence. Disruption of cell polarity is an early event […]

Metabolic Health, Insulin and Breast Cancer – Why Oncologists Should Care About Insulin

While diabetes/insulin-resistance and breast cancer are distinct diseases, insulin-signaling plays a central role in both illnesses. Insulin activates key cancer processes including EMT, tissue inflammation, motility, and angiogenesis. There are key opportunities to impact and prevent hyperinsulinemia during breast cancer prevention, surgical assessment, and chemotherapy. While it is not standard of care to test for […]