High Insulin Levels Directly Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine reveals a direct link between high insulin levels, common among patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. The study, published on October 31, 2023 in Cell Metabolism, provides the first detailed explanation of why people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The research demonstrates that excessive insulin levels overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive juices. This overstimulation leads to inflammation that converts these cells into precancerous cells. The article is titled “Hyperinsulinemia Acts Via Acinar Insulin Receptors to Initiate Pancreatic Cancer by Increasing Digestive Enzyme Production and Inflammation.”