Title: New Study Reveals Link Between Cancer and Insulin Resistance, Urges Medical Vigilance
Date: September 11, 2023
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences has shed light on the connection between cancer and insulin resistance. The findings highlight the negative impact of insulin resistance on cancer cells, leading to increased multiplication and loss of muscle mass. The research emphasizes the importance of vigilantly monitoring blood sugar levels in cancer patients and calls for further studies to explore effective treatments and identify at-risk groups.
Insulin resistance, a condition typically associated with type 2 diabetes, has now been found to accelerate the spread of cancer in patients. The link between cancer and blood sugar levels was first observed in the 1920s when doctors noticed a sweet odor in the urine of cancer patients, indicating increased levels of blood sugar.
Associate Professor Lykke Sylow, one of the main authors of the study, explains, “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.”
The impaired ability of cancer patients to respond to insulin mirrors the challenges faced by individuals with type 2 diabetes. Identifying insulin resistance in cancer patients can be particularly difficult, as they already experience symptoms such as fatigue, which are common in both conditions. Hence, the study emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels in cancer patients.
The research team conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 187 cancer patients and 154 control subjects. By analyzing insulin sensitivity through the gold standard method, the study confirmed the presence of insulin resistance in cancer patients.
Furthermore, the study revealed that insulin resistance not only has detrimental effects but also stimulates the multiplication of cancer cells. “A high level of insulin can make cancer cells grow faster,” explains Joan Màrmol, the second main author of the study. The condition also impacts muscle development, leading to the loss of muscle mass and strength in cancer patients.
Given the serious implications of insulin resistance in cancer patients, Associate Professor Lykke Sylow urges oncologists to proactively check patients’ blood sugar levels. Even when blood sugar appears normal, insulin resistance can go unnoticed as the body compensates by producing more insulin. Sylow emphasizes the need for early treatment since insulin resistance can be managed with the right interventions.
While the study highlights the existing link between cancer and insulin resistance, further research is required to identify the individuals at high risk of developing the condition. The research team hopes to determine whether specific cancer types, risk factors, or treatments contribute to insulin resistance. Moreover, they aim to conduct long-term studies to assess the effectiveness of insulin resistance treatment in improving outcomes for cancer patients.
The study, titled “Insulin resistance in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” was authored by Joan M. Marmol, Michala Carlsson, Steffen H. Raun, Mia K. Grand, Jonas Sørensen, Louise Lang Lehrskov, Erik A. Richter, and Ole Norgaard. It was published in the journal Acta Oncologica on April 12, 2023 (DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2023.2197124).