27 Jun Meningioma Risk Lower In Patients With High Blood Sugar and Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Judith Schwartzbaum
Dr. Judith Schwartzbaum PhD
Associate professor of epidemiology
Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Meningioma is a slow-growing brain tumor that is associated with obesity. To further understand this risk we examined records of blood sugar levels within approximately 15 years before tumor diagnosis comparing blood sugar levels of people who developed meningioma to those in people who did not.
MedicalResearch.com:What are the main findings?
Response: To our surprise we found that risk of this tumor was lower in people with high levels of blood sugar and diabetes.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: One reason for our unexpected findings could be that Metformin, a commonly used medication for diabetes, may have anti-tumor properties.
Another reason for the findings could be that before diagnosis the tumor eats blood glucose to help it grow.
Finally, it could be that one of the resulting problems caused by diabetes may, by accident, make it harder for the tumor to develop. For example, people with high blood sugar and diabetes have lower levels of some sex hormones. Sex hormones are associated with higher meningioma risk.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Find the reason for this unexpected effect. In particular, the anti-diabetes drug, Metformin, should be tested for possible anti-tumor properties.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Brittany M Bernardo, Robert C Orellana, Yiska Lowenberg Weisband, Niklas Hammar, Goran Walldius, Hakan Malmstrom, Anders Ahlbom, Maria Feychting, Judith Schwartzbaum. Association between prediagnostic glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and meningioma, and reverse causality. British Journal of Cancer, 2016; DOI:10.1038/bjc.2016.157
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on June 27, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD