Cancer risks from diabetes therapies: Evaluating the evidence

Given that diabetes and cancer each account for 8% and 13% of global deaths and there is a substantial financial burden incurred by both disorders, developing diabetes therapies that are safe, efficacious and cost-effective has never been more desirable. This timely review examines recent progress in delineating the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-diabetic actions of insulin, metformin and TZDs and considers evidence implicating these therapies in cell transformation and tumourigenesis. In addition, since the endocannabinoid signalling system (ECS) is now considered a therapeutic target and biomarker candidate for hyperglycaemia, obesity and cell growth, a brief section covering recent scientific advances regarding the ECS, particularly its functions in regulating glucose metabolism and cell survival, is also included in this review.