Supervisors info:
Νικόλαος Τεντολούρης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνσταντίνος Μακρυλάκης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Αλέξανδρος Κόκκινος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder of carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins, caused by deficiency of insulin. DM is characterized by increased blood glucose levels and is classified into type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes etc. Worldwide, DM is the 12th leading cause of death probably because of its complications. The most common chronic complications are divided into macro- and micro- angiopathies. DM also causes unusual complications such as dementia, osteoporosis, hearing loss, sleeping apnea, psychiatric disorders, periodontitis and cancer.
However, it is unclear whether the association between DM and cancer is direct due to hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and chronic inflammation or indirect due to their common risk factors such as age, sex, obesity, physical inactivity, diet, smoking and alcohol.
Several studies and meta- analysis indicate that DM increases the risk of pancreatic, liver, endometrium, colorectal, breast and bladder cancer while it has a protective effect on prostate cancer.
Finally, the effect of antidiabetic drugs on cancer incidence and mortality seems to be a remarkable field of research. The data about sulfonylureas, DPP- 4 inhibitors, GLP- 1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors and insulin are conflicting and controversial while metformin probably has protective effect on cancer incidence and mortality. Pioglitazone seems to increase the risk of bladder cancer.
Keywords:
Mellitus, Diabetes, Cancer, Complications, Risk