A new study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine has unveiled a direct connection between elevated insulin levels, often observed in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.
The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, provide crucial insights into why individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
The research highlights that excessive insulin levels can overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, which are responsible for producing digestive juices. This overstimulation leads to inflammation, ultimately transforming these cells into precancerous ones.
Understanding the Alarming Rise in Pancreatic Cancer
The study draws attention to the alarming surge in pancreatic cancer rates, which closely parallels the rapid increase in both obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Co-senior author Dr. James Johnson, a professor in the department of cellular and physiological sciences at UBC, emphasizes the need to comprehend this phenomenon.
He underscores the importance of maintaining insulin levels within a healthy range, a goal achievable through diet, exercise, and, in certain cases, medications.
Focusing on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
The research primarily concentrates on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most prevalent and highly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, characterized by a five-year survival rate of less than 10%.
With the incidence of pancreatic cancer on the rise, PDAC is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030.
While obesity and type 2 diabetes were previously identified as risk factors for pancreatic cancer, the precise mechanisms underlying this association remained unclear.
This study unveils the role of insulin and its receptors in this process.
Insulin’s Role in PDAC Development
The study reveals that hyperinsulinemia, a condition marked by elevated insulin levels, directly contributes to the initiation of pancreatic cancer through insulin receptors in acinar cells.
Dr. Anni Zhang, the study’s first author, emphasizes that this mechanism involves increased production of digestive enzymes, ultimately leading to heightened pancreatic inflammation.
While insulin is well-known for its role in regulating blood sugar levels, this research highlights its significance in pancreatic acinar cells.
The findings demonstrate that insulin supports the physiological function of these cells by aiding in the production of digestive enzymes for breaking down fat-rich foods.
However, when insulin levels are elevated, its increased activity inadvertently fosters pancreatic inflammation and the development of precancerous cells.
Implications for Cancer Prevention and Treatment
These findings may pave the way for innovative cancer prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches that target insulin receptors in acinar cells.
Dr. Janel Kopp, co-senior author and assistant professor in the department of cellular and physiological sciences at UBC, anticipates that this research could lead to lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Moreover, it may open doors for targeted therapies that modulate insulin receptors to prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
Collaborating with researchers at BC Cancer and the Pancreas Center BC, the team has initiated a clinical trial designed to help PDAC patients control their blood sugar and circulating insulin levels under the guidance of an endocrinologist.
The implications of this study may also extend to other cancers associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, where elevated insulin levels may play a contributory role in disease initiation.
Dr. Johnson adds that similar connections between insulin and breast cancer have been observed in research conducted by colleagues in Toronto.
In the future, investigations will explore whether and how excess insulin might contribute to other types of cancers driven by obesity and diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Cell Metabolism.
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