Type 2 diabetes: a protective factor for prostate cancer? An overview of proposed mechanisms

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer are 2 of the most important public health concerns, especially in the elderly population. Although diabetes has been recognized as a potent risk factor for many types of cancers, there is a large amount of evidence that shows that it has a protective role against prostate cancer. The underlying cause of this protective role is not fully understood, however, some mechanisms have been proposed in this area. In the present study we have reviewed these mechanisms and some new mechanisms are also proposed.

Keywords: CXCL14; Insulin; Insulin-like growth factor-1; Metformin; Testosterone.