The intricate relationship between diabetes, obesity and pancreatic cancer

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2020 Jan;1873(1):188326. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.188326. Epub 2019 Nov 9.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading determinants of global cancer mortality, and its incidence is predicted to increase, to become in 2030 the second most common cause of cancer-related death. Obesity and diabetes are recognized risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer. In the last few decades an epidemic of diabetes and obesity has been spreading worldwide, forewarning an increase in incidence of pancreatic cancer. This review considers the most recent literature, covering the multiple molecular axis linking these three pathologies, aiming to draw a more comprehensive view of pancreatic cancer for a better theragnostic stratification of the population.

Keywords: Exosomes; Inflammation; Obesity; Pancreatic cancer; Type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology*
  • Epidemics / prevention & control
  • Epidemics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors