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Colon cancer modulation by a diabetic environment: A single institutional experience
Isabel Prieto1, Laura Del Puerto-Nevado2, Nieves Gonzalez3,4
1Radiation Oncology, Oncohealth Institute, IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz- UAM, Madrid, Spain.
Plos One
|March 3, 2017
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) may increase colon cancer risk. However, this study found a mild or negligible effect of the diabetic environment on established colon cancer characteristics and outcomes in patients and mice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Observational studies link diabetes mellitus (DM) to increased colon cancer risk.
- The diabetic environment may influence cancer development or tumor behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a diabetic environment on colon cancer characteristics and patient outcomes.
- To assess if diabetes influences tumor biology and progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 diabetic and 79 non-diabetic colon cancer patients.
- Matched case-control study with xenograft models in mice to evaluate diabetes' effect on tumor growth.
Main Results:
- Diabetic colon cancer patients had a worse ECOG performance status (p=0.02).
- No significant differences were found in tumor grade, stage, recurrence, or survival between diabetic and non-diabetic groups.
- Metformin use and a mouse xenograft model showed no impact on tumor characteristics.
Conclusions:
- The diabetic environment has a mild or negligible effect on established colon cancer behavior.
- Diabetes does not significantly alter tumor biology or outcomes once colon cancer develops.
