Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer: the insulin and IGF connection
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, The Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
- (Correspondence should be addressed to D LeRoith; Email: derek.leroith{at}mssm.edu)
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.
- Revision received 17 January 2012
- Accepted 20 January 2012
- Made available online as an Accepted Preprint 16 May 2012
- © 2012 Society for Endocrinology
