Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer: the insulin and IGF connection.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies suggest a positive association between obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) with the risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality. Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, increased levels of IGF, elevated levels of steroid and peptide hormones, and inflammatory markers appear to play a role in the connection between these different diseases. Medications, such as metformin and exogenous insulin, used to treat T2D may affect the risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality. Newer therapies targeting the insulin and IGF1 systems are being developed for use in cancer therapy.

• Authors: Dara Hope Cohen, Derek LeRoith
• Journal: Endocrine-related cancer (Endocr Relat Cancer) Vol. 19 Issue 5 Pg. F27-45 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1479-6821 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22593429 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Insulin
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I

Topics

• Animals
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (epidemiology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Insulin (metabolism)
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (epidemiology, metabolism)
• Obesity (epidemiology, metabolism)