Insulin resistance is a critical metabolic disorder traditionally linked to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, recent research has unveiled its significant role in bridging tumors and inflammation, highlighting a complex interplay that warrants further exploration. Insulin, a pivotal hormone, facilitates glucose uptake and utilization by cells, maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. In insulin resistance, cells exhibit diminished responsiveness to insulin, necessitating higher insulin levels to achieve normal glucose uptake. This condition, often accompanied by hyperinsulinemia, has been implicated in cancer development due to insulin's role as a growth factor that can stimulate cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, insulin resistance is intricately connected to chronic inflammation, a known contributor to cancer progression through cellular environment alterations and malignant transformations. Despite these insights, the precise mechanisms linking insulin resistance, tumorigenesis, and inflammation remain inadequately understood, necessitating comprehensive research to unravel these connections and develop innovative therapeutic strategies.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the glucose metabolic processes in tumors, investigate the intricate relationship between insulin resistance and cancer, and propose future research directions in these interconnected fields. By addressing these objectives, the topic seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance's impact on cancer development and inflammation, explore potential therapeutic interventions, and enhance patient management strategies.
To gather further insights into the multifaceted relationship between insulin resistance, tumors, and inflammation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Molecular mechanism studies: Investigating how insulin resistance affects intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell growth and cancer development.
- Mechanisms of cancer development: Examining the effects of insulin resistance on cancer cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and drug resistance.
- Inflammation and immune response: Exploring the role of insulin resistance in triggering or exacerbating inflammatory responses and their impact on tumor development.
- Pharmacological interventions: Developing and evaluating drugs targeting insulin resistance and their efficacy in cancer treatment.
- Clinical studies: Analyzing the relationship between insulin resistance and cancer in diabetic and non-diabetic patients to improve management strategies.
- Molecular markers and targeted therapies: Identifying molecular markers associated with insulin resistance for early cancer diagnosis and treatment, and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Insulin resistance, Cancer, Inflammation, Glucose metabolism, Molecular markers
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
