A recent study suggests that a straightforward blood test could help identify individuals with type 2 diabetes who are at a heightened risk of developing certain obesity-related cancers (OR cancers). This finding, which will be presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid, could pave the way for more targeted monitoring and early intervention strategies.
Increased Cancer Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
It is well-established that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop cancers linked to obesity, such as breast, kidney, womb, thyroid, and ovarian cancers. They are also at a higher risk for gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal and pancreatic cancer, as well as multiple myeloma. Researchers believe that chronic low-grade inflammation, common in both obesity and type 2 diabetes, plays a crucial role in the development of these cancers.
The Study and Its Findings
The research, led by Mathilde Dahlin Bennetsen from the Steno Diabetes Center Odense at Odense University Hospital in Denmark, focused on the role of proinflammatory cytokines—immune system proteins that exacerbate inflammation—in predicting cancer risk among people with type 2 diabetes. Bennetsen and her team examined whether variations in the levels of these cytokines could help identify patients who are particularly vulnerable to OR cancers.
The study analyzed data from 6,466 participants (40.5% female, median age 60.9 years) who were part of the Danish Center for Strategic Research in Diabetes (DD2) cohort. This ongoing study tracks individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At the study’s outset, researchers measured levels of three key proinflammatory cytokines: interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Notably, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are often elevated in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Participants were categorized into three groups based on their IL-6 levels: the lowest third (IL6 <0.94 pg/ml), the middle third (0.94–1.58 pg/ml), and the highest third (>1.58 pg/ml). Over a median follow-up period of 8.8 years, 327 participants developed an obesity-related cancer.
The study found that higher baseline IL-6 levels were strongly associated with an increased risk of developing OR cancers. After adjusting for variables such as age, sex, diabetes duration, alcohol consumption, waist circumference, physical activity, HbA1c (a marker of blood sugar control), triglyceride levels, and the use of lipid-lowering and diabetes medications, those in the highest IL-6 group were found to have a 51% higher risk of developing an OR cancer compared to those in the lowest group.
Implications for Future Cancer Screening
While TNF-alpha and hsCRP were only weakly linked to OR cancers, the inclusion of baseline IL-6 levels in predictive models significantly improved the ability to forecast cancer risk. However, adding TNF-alpha or hsCRP did not enhance the predictive accuracy.
The researchers conclude that elevated IL-6 levels are a strong indicator of OR cancer risk in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. Bennetsen suggests that in the future, a simple blood test measuring IL-6 could help identify individuals at higher risk, facilitating earlier detection and personalized treatment strategies. However, further research is necessary to determine whether such testing would improve cancer management outcomes.
Bennetsen emphasizes the importance of understanding the connection between inflammation and cancer risk. “Regular check-ups and effective diabetes management, including maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following treatment plans, can potentially help manage inflammation and reduce the risk of developing these cancers,” she advises.
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