Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin as biomarkers of glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer (GlicoOnco study)
- PMID: 37390617
- PMCID: PMC10338289
- DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100240
Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin as biomarkers of glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer (GlicoOnco study)
Abstract
Introduction: Glycemic control is important to avoid diabetes complications in individuals with cancer. There is no evidence for HbA1c and fructosamine as reliable biomarkers in these conditions. There are particularities in caring for patients with diabetes and cancer that can alter these biomarkers.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate HbA1c and fructosamine as glycemic biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes and cancer, undergoing clinical or surgical oncological treatment.
Methods: The authors conducted a single-center, retrospective analysis with people who have cancer and diabetes. Comparison of glycemic biomarkers (HbA1c, fructosamine, and Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose [SMBG]) was performed including evaluation in individuals undergoing chemotherapy, using glucocorticoids, with anemia, hypoproteinemia or with reduced estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR).
Results: There was a strong positive correlation between fructosamine and HbA1c (n = 318, r = 0.66, p < 0.001) in people with diabetes and cancer even in those under chemotherapy (n = 101, r = 0.61, p < 0.001) or using glucocorticoids (n = 96, r = 0.67, p<0.001). There was a strong correlation between HbA1c and fructosamine in subjects with anemia (n = 111, r = 0.66, p < 0.001), hypoproteinemia (n = 54, r = 0.67, p < 0.001), or with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 189, r = 0.70, p < 0.001), and moderate correlation with hypoalbuminemia (n = 21, r = 0.54, p = 0.001) and with reduced eGFR (n = 67, r = 0.57, p < 0.001). The correlations between fructosamine and HbA1c with SMBG were moderate (n = 164, r = 0.49, p < 0.001; n = 111, r = 0.55, p < 0.001, respectively), strong in subjects undergoing chemotherapy, with hypoalbuminemia or hypoproteinemia, and at least moderate, if eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or with anemia.
Conclusions: Fructosamine and HbA1c can be used as glycemic biomarkers in people with diabetes and cancer, even in those with anemia, hypoproteinemia, or undergoing chemotherapy.
Keywords: Cancer; Chemotherapy; Fructosamine; Glucocorticoids; Glycemic control; HbA1c.
Copyright © 2023 HCFMUSP. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of interest There authors declare no conflicts of interest. All authors have read and approved the submission of the manuscript; the manuscript has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part, in any language.
Figures

Similar articles
-
How does CKD affect HbA1c?J Diabetes. 2018 Apr;10(4):270. doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.12624. Epub 2017 Dec 21. J Diabetes. 2018. PMID: 29124865
-
A comparison of fructosamine and HbA1c for home self-monitoring blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 2002 Apr;65(4):151-5. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 2002. PMID: 12135193
-
Does Preoperative Glycemic Control Restore Immune Defense Against Implant-related Infection in Mice With Diabetes?Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2022 May 1;480(5):1008-1017. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000002041. Epub 2021 Nov 19. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2022. PMID: 34797251 Free PMC article.
-
Salivary Fructosamine as a Noninvasive Glycemic Biomarker: A Systematic Review.JDR Clin Trans Res. 2021 Oct;6(4):382-389. doi: 10.1177/2380084420954354. Epub 2020 Sep 3. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2021. PMID: 32881595
-
Potential Markers of Dietary Glycemic Exposures for Sustained Dietary Interventions in Populations without Diabetes.Adv Nutr. 2020 Sep 1;11(5):1221-1236. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa058. Adv Nutr. 2020. PMID: 32449931 Free PMC article.
Cited by
-
Novel Micro-Ribonucleic Acid Biomarkers for Early Detection of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Complications-A Literature Review.Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 17;26(2):753. doi: 10.3390/ijms26020753. Int J Mol Sci. 2025. PMID: 39859467 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Deciphering the Association: Critical HDL-C Levels and Their Impact on the Glycation Gap in People Living with HIV.Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 22;26(3):914. doi: 10.3390/ijms26030914. Int J Mol Sci. 2025. PMID: 39940683 Free PMC article.
-
Early detection of type 2 diabetes risk: limitations of current diagnostic criteria.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Nov 9;14:1260623. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1260623. eCollection 2023. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023. PMID: 38027114 Free PMC article.
-
Screening and management of hospital hyperglycemia in non-critical patients: a position statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD).Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2025 Feb 12;17(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s13098-025-01585-z. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2025. PMID: 39939862 Free PMC article. Review.
References
-
- Hope C, Robertshaw A, Cheung KL, Idris I, English E. Relationship between HbA1c and cancer in people with or without diabetes: a systematic review. Diabet Med. 2016;33(8):1013–1025. - PubMed
-
- Karlin N, Dueck A, Cook C. Cancer with diabetes: prevalence, metabolic control, and survival in an academic oncology practice. Endocr Pract. 2012;18(6):898–905. - PubMed
-
- Association American Diabetes. Glycemic targets: standards of medical care in diabetes − 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(January):S73–S84. - PubMed
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Research Materials
Miscellaneous