Title:Non-diabetic Glucose levels and Cancer Mortality: A Literature Review
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Eiichi Kakehi, Kazuhiko Kotani*, Takashi Nakamura, Taro Takeshima and Eiji Kajii
Affiliation:Division of Community and Family Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Division of Community and Family Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Division of Community and Family Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Division of Community and Family Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Division of Community and Family Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi
Keywords:Non-diabetics, prediabetes, impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, malignancy, prospective cohort
study.
Abstract:Background: Although diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for cancer, the relationship of an
increased glucose concentration at a non-diabetic glucose level with cancer mortality is yet to be determined.
Objective: The aim was to observe whether an increased glucose concentration and/or glucose intolerance
at the non-diabetic glucose level can predict cancer mortality.
Methods: Population-based prospective cohort studies evaluating cancer mortality at the non-diabetic
level (defined as fasting plasma glucose <7.0 mmol/L and two-hour plasma glucose <11.1mmol/L following
an oral glucose tolerance test) were collected via a PubMed search with an additional Google
scholar search between 1 January 1966 and 31 July 2016.
Results: We identified seven studies, which met the defined criteria. Studies examining fasting/casual
states indicated an increase in cancer mortality with a slight increase in fasting/casual glucose levels in
men in particular. Not all, but some studies using a glucose tolerance test indicated an increase in cancer
mortality with impaired glucose tolerance/prediabetes. Concerning cause-cancer mortality, glucose
intolerance states appeared to have an increase in mortality, particularly due to the stomach, liver and
pancreatic cancers.
Conclusion: In these studies reviewed, cancer mortality increased in individuals with an increased
glucose concentration and an increased potential was seen in those patients with glucose intolerance
even at non-diabetic glucose levels. The outcome of these findings is promising and forms the basis for
further studies to directly address the relevance of increased (non-diabetic) glucose and glucose intolerance
as a prognostic indicator of cancer mortality.
