Open AccessEpidemiological link between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer
Author(s) -
Cornelius James Fernandez,
Annu Susan George,
Nikhila A Subrahmanyan,
Joseph M Pappachan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world journal of methodology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2222-0682
DOI - 10.5662/wjm.v11.i3.23
Subject(s) - epidemiology , obesity , type 2 diabetes mellitus , medicine , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , link (geometry) , cancer , oncology , endocrinology , computer science , computer network
There exists a complex interaction between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, and an increase in the incidence of cancer is expected with the growing obesity-diabetes pandemic. The association of cancer with diabetes mellitus and obesity appears to be site-specific, the highest risk being for post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, there is worsening of hyperglycaemia with the onset of cancer, evidencing a bi-directional link between cancer and diabetes mellitus and the need for monitoring for diabetes in cancer survivors. In this review, we look at the epidemiological evidence from observational studies and Mendelian randomization studies linking obesity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as the complex pathophysiological mechanisms involved, including insulin resistance with associated hyperinsulinaemia, the effect of chronic low-grade inflammation, and the effect of various adipokines that are associated with obesity and T2DM. Additionally, we describe the novel therapeutic strategies, based on their role on the discrete pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the tumourigenesis.