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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Precise Visualization of Insulin Receptors A and B in Murine Brain with an RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay
Published on: July 15, 2025
Insulin receptor and cancer
Antonino Belfiore1, Roberta Malaguarnera
1Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario, località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy. belfiore@unicz.it
Obesity and type 2 diabetes increase cancer risk by promoting hyperinsulinemia and insulin receptor (IR) signaling. Targeting the IR-A pathway is crucial for future cancer therapies to inhibit tumor growth without metabolic side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Obesity and type 2 diabetes are linked to increased cancer risk.
- Hyperinsulinemia and insulin receptor (IR) signaling are implicated in cancer progression.
- IR isoform A (IR-A) and IGF2 autocrine loops drive cancer stem cell expansion and malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of hyperinsulinemia and insulin receptor signaling in cancer.
- To understand the IR-A/IGF2 autocrine loop's function in cancer stem cell expansion and therapy resistance.
- To inform cancer prevention strategies and the development of novel anticancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on IR signaling in cancer.
- Analysis of the IR-A/IGF2 autocrine loop in normal and cancer stem cells.
- Evaluation of the metabolic:mitogenic ratio of antidiabetic drugs.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of IR in cancer cells enhances sensitivity to hyperinsulinemia.
- The IR-A/IGF2 autocrine loop promotes cancer stem cell expansion and resistance to therapies.
- Insulin resistance induced by cancer treatments can limit therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Controlling insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia is vital for cancer prevention.
- Future cancer therapies should target the IR-A pathway to inhibit tumor promotion without affecting metabolic insulin functions.
- Careful evaluation of antidiabetic drugs is needed for their metabolic:mitogenic balance.
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