Should pancreas imaging be recommanded in patients over 50 years when diabetes is discovered because of acute symptoms?

Blood-based Migration Signature Biomarker Panel Discriminates Early Stage New Onset Diabetes related Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma from Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

While type 2 diabetes is a well-known risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), PDAC-induced new-onset diabetes (PDAC-NOD) is a manifestation of underlying PDAC. In this study, we sought to identify potential blood-based biomarkers for distinguishing PDAC-NOD from type 2 diabetes (T2DM) without PDAC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By ELISA analysis, a migration signature biomarker panel comprising tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), tenascin C (TNC-FNIII-C) and CA 19-9 was analyzed in plasma samples from 50 PDAC-NOD and 50 T2DM controls.

RESULTS

Both TFPI (area under the curve (AUC) 0.71) and TNC-FNIII-C (AUC 0.69) outperformed CA 19-9 (AUC 0.60) in distinguishing all stages of PDAC-NOD from T2DM controls. The combined panel showed an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.73-0.90) (p = 0.002). In the PDAC-NOD early stage II samples, the three biomarkers had an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI = 0.73-0.93) vs CA 19-9, AUC = 0.60, (95% CI = 0.45-0.73), which also improved significance (p = 0.0123).

CONCLUSION

The migration signature panel adds significantly to CA 19-9 to discriminate PDAC-NOD from T2DM controls and warrants further validation for high-risk group stratification.

Epigenomic Blood-Based Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer Employing Cell-Free DNA

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Early detection of pancreatic cancer (PaC) can drastically improve survival rates. Approximately 25% of subjects with PaC have type 2 diabetes diagnosed within 3 years prior to the PaC diagnosis, suggesting that subjects with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of occult PaC. We have developed an early-detection PaC test, based on changes in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) signals in cell-free DNA from plasma.

METHODS

Blood was collected from 132 subjects with PaC and 528 noncancer subjects to generate epigenomic and genomic feature sets yielding a predictive PaC signal algorithm. The algorithm was validated in a blinded cohort composed of 102 subjects with PaC, 2048 noncancer subjects, and 1524 subjects with non-PaCs.

RESULTS

5hmC differential profiling and additional genomic features enabled the development of a machine learning algorithm capable of distinguishing subjects with PaC from noncancer subjects with high specificity and sensitivity. The algorithm was validated with a sensitivity for early-stage (stage I/II) PaC of 68.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.9%-81.9%) and an overall specificity of 96.9% (95% CI, 96.1%-97.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The PaC detection test showed robust early-stage detection of PaC signal in the studied cohorts with varying type 2 diabetes status. This assay merits further clinical validation for the early detection of PaC in high-risk individuals.

Clinical Clues of Pre-Symptomatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Prior to Its Diagnosis: A Retrospective Review of CT Scans and Laboratory Tests

Most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases are unresectable at the time of diagnosis. Only early diagnosis and curative resection can help prolong survival. We tried to find out useful clinical clues of pre-symptomatic area prior to pancreatic cancer diagnosis compared to normal controls. Of 4799 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between 1995 and 2014 at the Samsung Medical Center, 51 were selected for study. They had no symptoms at diagnosis and underwent computed tomography 6 to 36 months prior to diagnosis for reasons other than cancer diagnosis. We selected 288 control subjects who underwent computed tomography during the same period. Data were retrospectively reviewed included various variables. Fasting blood sugar (171.8 ± 97.5 vs. 115.8 ± 34.8 units, p < 0.05), new onset diabetes mellitus within 3 years (12/51 (23.5%) vs. 17/181 (9.8%), p < 0.05), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (609.5 ± 2342.5 vs. 17.0 ± 26.2, p = 0.08), main pancreatic duct dilatation (26/51 (51.0%) vs. 57/181 (31.5%), p < 0.05) in computed tomography scan were higher in pancreatic cancer group than in normal group, respectively. In multi-variate analysis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, new onset diabetes mellitus (<3 years), and segmental main pancreatic duct dilatation were independent risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Our study concluded that independent risk factors for pancreatic cancer were elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9, new onset diabetes mellitus (<3 years), and local main pancreatic ductal dilatation on computed tomography scan.

Temporality of clinical factors associated with pancreatic cancer: a case-control study using linked electronic health records

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer risk is poorly quantified in relation to the temporal presentation of medical comorbidities and lifestyle. This study aimed to examine this aspect, with possible influence of demographics.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case-control study on the ethnically-diverse population of East London, UK, using linked electronic health records. We evaluated the independent and two-way interaction effects of 19 clinico-demographic factors in patients with pancreatic cancer (N = 965), compared with non-malignant pancreatic conditions (N = 3963) or hernia (control; N = 4355), reported between April 1, 2008 and March 6, 2020. Risks were quantified by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We observed increased odds of pancreatic cancer incidence associated with recent-onset diabetes occurring within 6 months to 3 years before cancer diagnosis (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.25-3.03), long-standing diabetes for over 3 years (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.32-2.29), recent smoking (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.36-2.4) and drinking (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.31-2.35), as compared to controls but not non-malignant pancreatic conditions. Pancreatic cancer odds was highest for chronic pancreatic disease patients (recent-onset: OR 4.76, 95% CI 2.19-10.3, long-standing: OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.18-11.9), amplified by comorbidities or harmful lifestyle. Concomitant diagnosis of diabetes, upper gastrointestinal or chronic pancreatic conditions followed by a pancreatic cancer diagnosis within 6 months were common, particularly in South Asians. Long-standing cardiovascular, respiratory and hepatobiliary conditions were associated with lower odds of pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors are, independently or via effect modifications, associated with higher incidence of pancreatic cancer, but some established risk factors demonstrate similar magnitude of risk measures of developing non-malignant pancreatic conditions. The findings may inform refined risk-stratification strategies and better surveillance for high-risk individuals, and also provide a means for systematic identification of target population for prospective cohort-based early detection research initiatives.

Screening Strategy of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PCa) is increasing worldwide and has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Screening for high risk populations is fundamental to overcome this intractable malignancy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is classically known as a risk factor for PCa. Recently the reverse causality is in the spotlight, that is to say, DM is considered to be a manifestation of PCa. Numbers of epidemiological studies clarified that new-onset DM (≤2-year duration) was predominant in PCa patients and the relative risk for PCa inversely correlated with duration of DM. Among patients with new-onset DM, elder onset, weight loss, and rapid exacerbation of glycemic control were reported to be promising risk factors and signs, and the model was developed by combining these factors. Several pilot studies disclosed the possible utility of biomarkers to discriminate PCa-associated DM from type 2 DM. However, there is no reliable biomarkers to be used in the practice. We previously reported the application of a multivariate index for PCa based on the profile of plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) among diabetic patients. We are further investigating on the PFAA profile of PCa-associated DM, and it can be useful for developing the novel biomarker in the near future.

A Diabetic Patient Complicated With Pancreatic Cancer After Using Liraglutide: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Diabetes and cancer are both multifactorial diseases, and epidemiologic evidence indicates that diabetes may be associated with the incidence of certain types of cancer. In diabetes the risk of pancreatic cancer is increased significantly. However, whether certain diabetes treatment being related with the risk of pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In this report, we presented a case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a diabetic patient in China after being treated with liraglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog.

CASE REPORT

A 71-year-old Han Chinese man who had had a type 2 diabetes for 25 years presented at the endocrinology department with discomfort in the left upper quadrant of abdomen for 10 days. The patient's vital signs and laboratory findings were unremarkable except for the elevated level of carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9). The upper abdomen routine enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed low density of the pancreatic body and tail, and the histopathological result of the pancreatic biopsy samples was pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with regional lymph node metastasis. We reviewed his former medical records and found that liraglutide was added to his hypoglycemic treatment regimen 20 months ago. At that time, the level of tumor biomarkers and upper abdomen routine CT were unremarkable. We estimated the causality between liraglutide and pancreatic cancer by the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability scale and WHO-Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) system, and the causality turned out to be possible.

CONCLUSION

Our report suggests that liraglutide may be related with the genesis and development of pancreatic cancer and also highlights the importance of regular checkups in diabetic patients treated with liraglutide. However, our report has some notable limitations, and further longer-term follow-up trials with larger sample should be conducted in future to assess the causality between liraglutide and pancreatic cancer.

Model to Determine Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients With New-Onset Diabetes

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Of patients with new-onset diabetes (NOD; based on glycemic status) older than 50 years, approximately 1% are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC) within 3 years. We aimed to develop and validate a model to determine risk of PC in patients with NOD.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 4 independent and nonoverlapping cohorts of patients (N = 1,561) with NOD (based on glycemic status; data collected at date of diagnosis and 12 months previously) in the Rochester Epidemiology Project from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2015 to create our model. The model weighed scores for 3 factors identified in the discovery cohort to be most strongly associated with PC (64 patients with PC and 192 with type 2 diabetes): change in weight, change in blood glucose, and age at onset of diabetes. We called our model Enriching New-Onset Diabetes for Pancreatic Cancer (ENDPAC). We validated the locked-down model and cutoff score in an independent population-based cohort of 1,096 patients with diabetes; of these, 9 patients (82%) had PC within 3 years of meeting the criteria for NOD.

RESULTS

In the discovery cohort, the END-PAC model identified patients who developed PC within 3 years of diabetes onset (area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.87); a score of at least 3 identified patients who developed PC with 80% sensitivity and specificity. In the validation cohort, a score of at least 3 identified 7 of 9 patients with PC (78%) with 85% specificity; the prevalence of PC in patients with a score of at least 3 (3.6%) was 4.4-fold greater than in patients with NOD. A high END-PAC score in patients who did not have PC (false positives) was often due to such factors as recent steroid use or different malignancy. An ENDPAC score no higher than 0 (in 49% of patients) meant that patients had an extremely low risk for PC. An END-PAC score of at least 3 identified 75% of patients in the discovery cohort more than 6 months before a diagnosis of PC.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on change in weight, change in blood glucose, and age at onset of diabetes, we developed and validated a model to determine risk of PC in patients with NOD based on glycemic status (END-PAC model). An independent prospective study is needed to further validate this model, which could contribute to early detection of PC.

Risk factor, early diagnosis and overall survival on outcome of association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus: Changes and advances, a review

To review literature addressing determination of the risk factor, early diagnosis and overall survival on outcome among patient of pancreatic cancer associated with diabetes mellitus from the perspective of pancreatic surgery. To identify recent guidelines, clinical pathogenesis, pathological classification, screening methodology and advances in surgical management. It identifies those clinical and surgical variables to predict excellent prognosis in respect of life style changes, ongoing advancement in therapeutic and surgical treatment and postoperative follow up. Approximately 85% pancreatic cancer have impaired glucose tolerance and may be associated with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes improves following pancreatic resection. This suggest diabetes is caused by pancreatic cancer. New onset glucose intolerance or DM is an earliest manifestation of pancreatic cancer. Recognition of new onset diabetes as an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer leads to diagnosis of asymptomatic, early stage pancreatic cancer. Thus, helps to aid in better diagnosis and therefore prolonging survival rate. Increasing duration of diabetes mellitus is significantly associated with decreasing risk of pancreatic cancer. Elderly patient with new onset diabetes have high risk of having pancreatic cancer compared to general population. New onset hyperglycemia and diabetes serves as an important screening tool to diagnose asymptomatic pancreatic cancer patient and improves pancreatic cancer related survival. DM in association with pancreatic cancer have reduced overall survival rate and increased mortality. Despite of having dismal prognosis of pancreatic cancer, many studies have concluded the survival rate of 5 years. There exists a bidirectional association between pancreatic cancer and DM is found to be a cause of pancreatic cancer as well as complication. The study on pancreatic cancer and diabetes has offered an interesting field of research based study and surgical practices.

Early detection of pancreatic cancer in mouse models using a novel antibody, TAB004

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States with a 5-year overall survival rate of 8% for all stages combined. But this decreases to 3% for the majority of patients that present with stage IV PDA at time of diagnosis. The lack of distinct early symptoms for PDA is one of the primary reasons for the late diagnosis. Common symptoms like weight loss, abdominal and back pains, and jaundice are often mistaken for symptoms of other issues and do not appear until the cancer has progressed to a late stage. Thus the development of novel imaging platforms for PDA is crucial for the early detection of the disease. MUC1 is a tumor-associated antigen (tMUC1) expressed on 80% of PDA. The goal of this study was to determine the targeting and detection capabilities of a tMUC1 specific antibody, TAB004. TAB004 antibody conjugated to a near infrared fluorescent probe was injected intraperitoneally into immune competent orthotopic and spontaneous models of PDA. Results show that fluorophore conjugated TAB004 specifically targets a) 1 week old small tumor in the pancreas in an orthotopic PDA model and b) very early pre-neoplastic lesions (PanIN lesions) that develop in the spontaneous PDA model before progression to adenocarcinoma. Thus, TAB004 is a promising antibody to deliver imaging agents directly to the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, significantly affecting early detection of PDA.

A Prospective Study to Establish a New-Onset Diabetes Cohort: From the Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer

The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases initiated the Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer (CPDPC) in 2015 (the CPDPC's origin, structure, governance, and research objectives are described in another article in this journal). One of the key objectives of CPDPC is to assemble a cohort of 10,000 subjects 50 years or older with new-onset diabetes, called the NOD cohort. Using a define, enrich, and find early detection approach, the aims of the NOD study are to (a) estimate the 3-year probability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in NOD (define), (b) establish a biobank of clinically annotated biospecimens from presymptomatic PDAC and control new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects, (c) conduct phase 3 validation studies of promising biomarkers for identification of incident PDAC in NOD patients (enrich), and (d) provide a platform for development of a future interventional screening protocol for early detection of PDAC in patients with NOD that incorporates imaging studies and/or clinical algorithms (find). It is expected that 85 to 100 incidences of PDAC will be diagnosed during the study period in this cohort of 10,000 patients.

Interaction between Comorbidity and Cancer

Background

Older patients have an average of three comorbidities in addition to their cancer. Oncologic studies have usually ignored this aspect when adjusting for confounders. There is mounting evidence that comorbidity interacts with risk, survival, disease progression, and treatment of elderly patients with cancer. The strength of many of these interactions increases with age.

Methods

A review of the literature was undertaken regarding two of these interactions: cancer risk and prognosis.

Results

In older patients, the risk and behavior of cancer can be strongly affected by comorbidities and their related treatment. Rather than a blanket effect, this effect might be attached to groups of syndromes with common pathophysiologic mechanisms. This is notably true for metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases.

Conclusions

In addition to focusing on the influence of cancer treatment on comorbidity or on the effect of comorbidity in delivering cancer treatment, future endeavors will need to consider the direct impact of comorbidity on the risk and the behavior of the cancer in elderly patients.

Early detection of sporadic pancreatic cancer: time for change

Sporadic pancreatic cancer amounts to ∼90% of all pancreatic cancers. It is a gloomy depressive disease and the most recalcitrant malignancy, with a very low 5-year survival (3-6%). At present, diagnostic methods are commonly applied, as used half a century ago, after the appearance of local and systemic symptoms (abdominal and back pain, cholestasis, painless jaundice, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, anemia, peripheral phlebitis, and cachexia). Unfortunately, these symptoms are harbingers of an advanced disease. The subsequent imaging methods may offer additional information on the location, size, and morphology of the lesion, but they do not influence the prognosis. Radical surgery may be offered to 15-20% of patients. The relapses after surgery are frequent and chemotherapy may be palliative. Preventive programs represent the only possibility of improvement. We propose the first multistep and multidisciplinary preventive program for early detection of sporadic pancreatic cancer for the differential identification of average-risk patients who probably have the disease from those who do not.

Type 3c (pancreatogenic) diabetes mellitus secondary to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases defined by persistent hyperglycaemia. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form, is characterised initially by impaired insulin sensitivity and subsequently by an inadequate compensatory insulin response. Diabetes can also develop as a direct consequence of other diseases, including diseases of the exocrine pancreas. Historically, diabetes due to diseases of the exocrine pancreas was described as pancreatogenic or pancreatogenous diabetes mellitus, but recent literature refers to it as type 3c diabetes. It is important to note that type 3c diabetes is not a single entity; it occurs because of a variety of exocrine pancreatic diseases with varying mechanisms of hyperglycaemia. The most commonly identified causes of type 3c diabetes are chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, haemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, and previous pancreatic surgery. In this Review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical relevance of type 3c diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and highlight several important knowledge gaps.

Does diabetes mellitus affect presentation, stage and survival in operable pancreatic cancer?

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to investigate differences in clinical presentation, disease stage and survival of operable pancreatic cancer patients with new onset DM compared to long standing diabetes mellitus (DM) and non diabetics.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained pancreatic cancer surgery database of a tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2006 to August 2012 was reviewed. Only patients with a histological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma (PC) were included in final analysis. DM was defined as HbA1c >6.5% or any patient on anti-diabetic treatment regardless of HbA1c value. New onset DM was defined when diagnosed within two preceding years of surgery. Patients were stratified into two groups: DM and non DM. Among the DM patients, patients with new onset DM were further stratified and studied separately. Staging of PC was performed according to the 6(th) edition of AJCC. Survival of patients with PC was determined by reviewing medical records. Patients and their families were contacted if there was no existing follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients (n=55, 63.9% male) with a mean age of 62 years (range, 29-85 years) underwent pancreatic cancer surgery during the study period. Of the 86 patients, 30 (34%) had DM of which eight patients (9% overall) had new onset DM. DM patients tended to be older compared to non DM patients (67.8 vs. 58.5 years, P=0.0005). The majority of non DM patients were symptomatic (98.2%), and there was a tendency for DM group patients to be asymptomatic at presentation (13.3% vs. 1.8%, P=0.05). Abdominal pain was less common in DM patients compared to non DM patients (30% vs. 53.6%, P=0.04). The median duration of new onset DM prior to diagnosis of PC was 2 months (range, 1-23 months). There was a tendency for DM patients to present at an early stage (stage I and stage II) (P=0.08). There was no difference in survival (P=0.17) for new onset DM compared to long standing DM and non DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

DM patients tend to be older and are less likely to present with abdominal pain. Asymptomatic presentation and early stage disease tends to occur in DM patients. A larger sample size is required to determine if survival of new onset DM patients differs from long standing and non DM patients.

New-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus--A high-risk group suitable for the screening of pancreatic cancer?

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is widely considered to be associated with pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of pancreatic cancer in new-onset type 2 diabetic patients by measuring the serum level of CA 19-9 and performing abdominal ultrasonography (US).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive type 2 diabetic patients in whom diabetes was diagnosed within 36 months were included in this prospective study. Serum CA 19-9 measurement and US were performed in all patients. If any of two was positive, abdominal computer tomography (CT) was carried out. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration or direct surgical referral was performed on patients with CT-identified lesions.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients were enrolled. CA 19-9 was elevated in 10 patients but pancreatic cancer diagnosed in neither of them. Pancreatic cancer was revealed by morphological means in three patients without elevated CA 19-9 level. The sensitivity, specificity, positive-, negative predictive values and validity were 0%, 90.4%, 0%, 97.9% and 87.9% for CA 19-9, 66.7%, 100%, 100%, 99% and 99% for US, respectively. The value of the Standardized Incidence Ratio for pancreatic cancer in new-onset type-2 diabetic patients was 198.6 (95% CI = 6.25-46.9).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of pancreatic cancer in patients with new-onset type-2 diabetes is significantly higher than that in the general population and screening is beneficial for detecting PaC in this patient population. CA 19-9 and US is not reliable screening modality for pancreatic cancer screening in this population.

The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and diabetes: what's the relationship?

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a dismal prognosis as cancer-specific symptoms occur only at an advanced stage. If the cancer is to be discovered early, it will have to be done in asymptomatic individuals. Since the incidence of PC is low, screening for asymptomatic cancer in the general population will not be feasible. Screening will have to be restricted to subjects at high risk for PC. The proportion of PC patients who also have hyperglycemia or diabetes has previously been under appreciated; new data show that up to 80% are either hyperglycemic or diabetic and this can be evident in the pre-symptomatic phase. Diabetes improves following PC resection suggesting that diabetes is caused by the cancer. Conversely, older subjects with new-onset diabetes have an approximately eight fold higher risk of having PC compared to the general population. Recognition of new-onset diabetes as an early manifestation of PC could lead to diagnosis of asymptomatic, early stage PC. However, primary type 2 diabetes is common and PC is relatively uncommon in the general population and the two forms of diabetes are clinically indistinguishable. The success of the strategy to use new-onset hyperglycemia and diabetes as a screening tool to identify subjects with a high likelihood of having asymptomatic PC will depend largely on our ability to differentiate PC-associated diabetes from the more common type 2 diabetes using a (serologic) biomarker.

Prediagnostic serum biomarkers as early detection tools for pancreatic cancer in a large prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The clinical management of pancreatic cancer is severely hampered by the absence of effective screening tools.

METHODS

Sixty-seven biomarkers were evaluated in prediagnostic sera obtained from cases of pancreatic cancer enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO).

RESULTS

The panel of CA 19-9, OPN, and OPG, identified in a prior retrospective study, was not effective. CA 19-9, CEA, NSE, bHCG, CEACAM1 and PRL were significantly altered in sera obtained from cases greater than 1 year prior to diagnosis. Levels of CA 19-9, CA 125, CEA, PRL, and IL-8 were negatively associated with time to diagnosis. A training/validation study using alternate halves of the PLCO set failed to identify a biomarker panel with significantly improved performance over CA 19-9 alone. When the entire PLCO set was used for training at a specificity (SP) of 95%, a panel of CA 19-9, CEA, and Cyfra 21-1 provided significantly elevated sensitivity (SN) levels of 32.4% and 29.7% in samples collected <1 and >1 year prior to diagnosis, respectively, compared to SN levels of 25.7% and 17.2% for CA 19-9 alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Most biomarkers identified in previously conducted case/control studies are ineffective in prediagnostic samples, however several biomarkers were identified as significantly altered up to 35 months prior to diagnosis. Two newly derived biomarker combinations offered advantage over CA 19-9 alone in terms of SN, particularly in samples collected >1 year prior to diagnosis. However, the efficacy of biomarker-based tools remains limited at present. Several biomarkers demonstrated significant velocity related to time to diagnosis, an observation which may offer considerable potential for enhancements in early detection.

[New-onset diabetes as an early sign of pancreatic cancer]

While long-standing diabetes is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer, new-onset diabetes could be a consequence of underlying pancreatic malignancy. About 30% to 50% of pancreatic cancer patients have new-onset diabetes. Because diabetes develops in preclinical or early stages of pancreatic cancer, it could serve as an excellent clue for early detection of pancreatic cancer. Insulin resistance associated with hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia by diabetogenic factors secreted from cancer cells have been suggested to be a possible mechanism of pancreatic cancer-induced diabetes. It is difficult to differentiate pancreatic cancer-induced diabetes from the more common type 2 diabetes. Although several clinical features and potential biomarkers have been investigated, optimal strategies and modalities to screen pancreatic cancer among the new-onset diabetes have not yet been fully determined.

Diabetes and pancreatic cancer

The relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer is complex. Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance is present in more than 2/3rd of pancreatic cancer patients. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown a modest increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes, with an inverse relationship to duration of disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that anti-diabetic medications may modulate the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes. Subjects >50 years of age with new onset diabetes are at higher risk of having pancreatic cancer. However, to screen new-onset diabetes for pancreatic cancer, additional markers are needed that can distinguish pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes from type 2 diabetes.

Adrenomedullin is up-regulated in patients with pancreatic cancer and causes insulin resistance in β cells and mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

New-onset diabetes in patients with pancreatic cancer is likely to be a paraneoplastic phenomenon caused by tumor-secreted products. We aimed to identify the diabetogenic secretory product(s) of pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Using microarray analysis, we identified adrenomedullin as a potential mediator of diabetes in patients with pancreatic cancer. Adrenomedullin was up-regulated in pancreatic cancer cell lines, in which supernatants reduced insulin signaling in beta cell lines. We performed quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry on human pancreatic cancer and healthy pancreatic tissues (controls) to determine expression of adrenomedullin messenger RNA and protein, respectively. We studied the effects of adrenomedullin on insulin secretion by beta cell lines and whole islets from mice and on glucose tolerance in pancreatic xenografts in mice. We measured plasma levels of adrenomedullin in patients with pancreatic cancer, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and individuals with normal fasting glucose levels (controls).

RESULTS

Levels of adrenomedullin messenger RNA and protein were increased in human pancreatic cancer samples compared with controls. Adrenomedullin and conditioned media from pancreatic cell lines inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from beta cell lines and islets isolated from mice; the effects of conditioned media from pancreatic cancer cells were reduced by small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of adrenomedullin. Conversely, overexpression of adrenomedullin in mice with pancreatic cancer led to glucose intolerance. Mean plasma levels of adrenomedullin (femtomoles per liter) were higher in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with patients with diabetes or controls. Levels of adrenomedullin were higher in patients with pancreatic cancer who developed diabetes compared those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenomedullin is up-regulated in patients with pancreatic cancer and causes insulin resistance in β cells and mice.

Diabetes and pancreatic cancer

Epidemiological studies clearly indicate that the risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) is increased in diabetic patients, but most studies focus on overall diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and there are few studies on the risks of type 1 and type 3c (secondary) diabetes. Possible mechanisms for increased cancer risk in diabetes include cellular proliferative effects of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and abnormalities in insulin/IGF receptor pathways. Recently, insulin and insulin secretagogues have been observed to increase the PC risk, while metformin treatment reduces the cancer risk in diabetic subjects. In addition, anticancer drugs used to treat PC may either cause diabetes or worsen coexisting diabetes. T3cDM has emerged as a major subset of diabetes and may have the highest risk of pancreatic carcinoma especially in patients with chronic pancreatitis. T3cDM is also a consequence of PC in at least 30% of patients. Distinguishing T3cDM from the more prevalent T2DM among new-onset diabetic patients can be aided by an assessment of clinical features and confirmed by finding a deficiency in postprandial pancreatic polypeptide release. In conclusion, diabetes and PC have a complex relationship that requires more clinical attention. The risk of developing PC can be reduced by aggressive prevention and treatment of T2DM and obesity and the prompt diagnosis of T3cDM may allow detection of a tumor at a potentially curable stage.

Diabetes mellitus in pancreatic cancer patients in the Czech Republic: sex differences

Aims. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in pancreatic cancer patients and control subjects was compared. Methods. Retrospective evaluation of 182 pancreatic cancer patients and 135 controls. The presence of diabetes was evaluated and the time period between the diagnosis of diabetes and pancreatic cancer was assessed. A subanalysis based on patient sex was conducted. Results. Diabetes mellitus was present in 64 patients (35.2%) in pancreatic cancer group and in 27 patients (20.0%) in control group (χ² = 8.709; P = 0.003). In 18 patients (28.1% of diabetic pancreatic cancer patients) diabetes was new-onset. Diabetes was new-onset in 23.3% of females compared to 38.1% of males (χ² = 1.537; P = 0.215). The overall prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher among female pancreatic cancer patients (25% versus 43.9%; χ² = 7.070, P = 0.008), while diabetes prevalence was equally represented in the control group patients (22.1% versus 17.2%; χ² = 0.484, P = 0.487). Conclusion. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in study group of pancreatic cancer patients was significantly higher when compared to control group. Pancreatic cancer patients with diabetes were predominantly females, while diabetes was equally prevalent among sexes in the control group. Therefore, patient sex may play important role in the risk stratification.

New-onset diabetes in pancreatic cancer: a study in the primary care setting

BACKGROUND

Onset of diabetes mellitus (DM) is often first noted by primary care physicians. New-onset DM (duration <36 months before PaC diagnosis) can be a harbinger of pancreatic cancer (PaC). However, its clinical significance remains unclear.

METHODS

To determine the prevalence, onset, and delay in diagnosis of DM in PaC patients in the primary care setting, we retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive patients followed in Mayo Clinic's primary care clinics (at least one visit in the preceding 2 years) from 1995 to 2009 who were eventually diagnosed with PaC. Onset of DM was the first date the fasting blood glucose was ≥126 mg/dl.

RESULTS

Of the 111 PaC patients (59 male, median age 74 years), 52 (47%) had DM of whom 30 (58%) had new-onset DM. Among the 30 with new-onset DM, 24 (80%) were asymptomatic (no cancer-specific symptoms), at DM onset. In these 24 patients, median duration of DM prior to PaC diagnosis was 6.5 (0.5-35) months, and median delay between onset and physician diagnosis of DM was 2.5 (0.25-14) months, which decreased from 8.8 (3.5-14) months in patients with DM onset between 1995 and 1999 to 0 (0-2) months, in patients with DM onset between 2004 and 2009. However, the proportion of patients with undiagnosed DM (~33%) remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes is very common (~50%) in PaC. In over a fifth of PaC, the onset of DM occurs when the cancer is asymptomatic, providing a potential window-of-opportunity to diagnose early PaC. However, nearly a third of new-onset DM in PaC remains undiagnosed.

Weight loss precedes cancer-specific symptoms in pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

New-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) may herald pancreatic cancer (PaC). We determined whether changes in body weight distinguished PaC-associated DM (PaCDM) from type 2 DM.

METHODS

Among Olmsted County residents, we identified 29 PaCDM and 43 type 2 DM subjects who had serial fasting blood glucose measurements, new-onset DM, and no cancer-specific symptoms at DM onset. We compared body weight (kg) and fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) at DM onset, 1 to 2 years before and at index date in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Fasting blood glucose values were similar before and at the onset of DM. Before onset of DM, PaCDM and type 2 DM subjects had similar body weight (P = 0.80). However, at onset of DM, 59% of PaCDM subjects lost weight versus 30% of type 2 DM subjects (P = 0.02). At onset of DM, 56% of type 2 DM subjects gained weight versus 31% of PaCDM subjects (P = 0.04). By index date, PaCDM subjects lost more weight than type 2 DM subjects did (8.3 ± 8.3 vs 0.8 ± 4.8 kg, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although new-onset primary type 2 DM is typically associated with weight gain, weight loss frequently precedes onset of PaCDM. The paradoxical development of diabetes in the face of ongoing weight loss may be an important clue to understanding the pathogenesis of PaCDM.

Diabetes and pancreatic cancer: chicken or egg?

OBJECTIVES

Although half of all patients with pancreatic cancer are diabetic at the time of diagnosis, it remains unclear whether the diabetes associated with pancreatic cancer is a cause or an effect of the malignancy.

METHODS

Epidemiologic studies were reviewed, the geographic prevalence of diabetes and the incidence of pancreatic cancer were examined, and clinical and laboratory studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

Long-standing diabetes increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by 40% to 100%, and recent-onset diabetes is associated with a 4- to 7-fold increase in risk, such that 1% to 2% of patients with recent-onset diabetes will develop pancreatic cancer within 3 years. Treatment of diabetes or morbid obesity decreases the risk of pancreatic cancer, and metformin therapy decreases the risk due to both its antidiabetic and antineoplastic effects. Recent-onset diabetes associated with pancreatic cancer likely represents secondary or type 3 diabetes. The discrimination of type 3 diabetes from the more prevalent type 2 diabetes may identify the high-risk subgroup of diabetic patients in whom potentially curable pancreatic cancer may be found.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus increase the risk of pancreatic cancer with a latency period of more than 5 years. Type 3 diabetes mellitus is an effect, and therefore a harbinger, of pancreatic cancer in at least 30% of patients.

Small (<or=3 cm) solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas at multiphasic multidetector CT

PURPOSE

To analyze the imaging features of small (≤3 cm) solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) seen at multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (CT) in comparison with those of larger SPTs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. CT images of 42 histopathologically proven SPTs in the pancreas were retrospectively reviewed. Two radiologists in consensus analyzed the CT findings for the shape, location, diameter, ratio of solid-to-cystic components, border and margin, enhancement pattern, and enhancement grade of the tumors, as well as the presence of calcification, dilatation of the pancreatic duct, and parenchymal atrophy. Then, according to the feature analysis results, the reviewers classified all SPTs as typical or atypical; they also subdivided all SPTs into small (≤3 cm) and large SPTs (>3 cm) depending on the tumor size. Differences in the morphologic features between small SPTs and large typical and atypical SPTs were statistically evaluated by using the Fisher exact test; differences in attenuation between the pre- and postcontrast images and in the dynamic enhancement pattern according to nodule size (≤3 cm versus >3 cm) were evaluated by using the χ(2) test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables.

RESULTS

There were 20 typical SPTs and 22 atypical SPTs. Of the 22 atypical SPTs, 12 (54%) were 3 cm or smaller in diameter and 10 (45%) were larger than 3 cm in diameter. Small atypical SPTs usually appeared as solid tumors with a sharp margin and without accompanying pancreatic duct dilatation or parenchymal atrophy. They also showed weak enhancement during the pancreatic phase and a gradually increasing enhancement pattern. All typical SPTs were larger than 3 cm and appeared as well-defined cystic and solid masses with heterogeneous enhancement, while all large atypical SPTs appeared as calcified solid masses or large cystic masses.

CONCLUSION

The imaging features of small SPTs are different from those of large SPTs, and small SPTs frequently appear as purely solid tumors with a sharp margin and gradual enhancement.

New frontiers in pancreatic cancer research

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a highly lethal and aggressive malignancy with high mortality rates. It is critical to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies and targets for the treatment of this disease. In this article, the authors describe the important areas of focus in pancreatic cancer research, recent advances in these areas, and novel approaches that have the potential to bring about positive patient outcomes in this lethal disease. This article also focuses on recent developments in identifying new, more sensitive, and more specific blood biomarkers with potential use in the early detection of PDA.

Temporal association of changes in fasting blood glucose and body mass index with diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVES

Although the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic cancer is well described, temporal patterns of changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass index (BMI) before pancreatic cancer diagnosis are not known.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of pancreatic cancer cases seen at the Mayo Clinic from 15 January 1981 through to 9 July 2004 and selected those residing within 120 miles of Rochester, MN and who were seen at the Mayo Clinic within 30 days of the date of cancer diagnosis (index date). We identified approximately two matched controls per case residing locally and seen at Mayo in the year of their case index date. For the 736 cases and 1,875 controls with at least one outpatient FBG measurement, we abstracted all FBG values, and corresponding heights and weights up to 60 months before the index date and grouped them into 12-month intervals preceding the index. We compared FBG and BMI in each interval between cases and controls.

RESULTS

Mean FBG values were similar between cases, compared with controls, in the intervals from months -60 to -48 (102 mg per 100 ml vs. 100 mg per 100 ml, P=0.34) and from months -48 to -36 (106 mg per 100 ml vs. 102 mg per 100 ml, P=0.09), but progressively increased in the intervals from months -36 to -24 (105 mg per 100 ml vs. 100 mg per 100 ml, P=0.01), from months -24 to -12 (114 mg per 100 ml vs. 102 mg per 100 ml, P=0.001), and from months -12 to +1 (123 mg per 100 ml vs. 102 mg per 100 ml, P<0.0001). Though mean BMI values were generally similar in cases and controls up to 12 months before index, they were significantly lower in cases vs. controls in the interval from months -12 to +1 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by progressive hyperglycemia beginning up to 24 months before cancer diagnosis in the setting of decreasing BMI. Pancreatic cancer can potentially be diagnosed early if biomarkers are identified that can distinguish pancreatic cancer-induced DM from type II DM.

Diabetes mellitus as an early symptom of pancreatic cancer diagnosed three years later

We present a case of a 40-year-old man with strong family history of diabetes. His pancreatic ultrasonography was normal at the discovery of his diabetes. Anti-pancreatic antibodies were negative. The patient was treated by insulin and continued to loose weight. His diabetes remained unstable during the follow-up. Three years later, a pancreatic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed which was locally advanced and could not be removed surgically. This observation argues among several mechanisms explaining diabetes in subjects with pancreatic cancer, in favor of tumor-derived diabetogenic substance and suggests that diabetes mellitus could reveal pancreatic cancer even in the presence of conventional risk factors of type 2 diabetes.

New-onset diabetes: a potential clue to the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis because cancer-specific symptoms occur only at an advanced stage. If the cancer is to be discovered early, screening will need to be done in asymptomatic individuals. Because the incidence of pancreatic cancer is low, screening for asymptomatic cancer in the general population is not feasible; therefore, screening will need to be restricted to people at high risk of this disease. The proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer who also have hyperglycaemia or diabetes has previously been under appreciated. New data show that up to 80% of patients are either hyperglycaemic or diabetic, both of which can be detected in the presymptomatic phase. Diabetes has been shown to improve after pancreatic-cancer resection, suggesting that diabetes is caused by the cancer. Conversely, older patients with new-onset diabetes have about an eight-times higher risk of having pancreatic cancer than the general population. Recognition of new-onset diabetes as an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer could lead to the diagnosis of asymptomatic, early-stage pancreatic cancer. However, primary type-2 diabetes is common in the general population and pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon, and the two forms of diabetes are clinically indistinguishable. The success of a strategy using new-onset hyperglycaemia and diabetes as a screening tool to identify people with a high likelihood of having asymptomatic pancreatic cancer will depend largely on our ability to differentiate pancreatic-cancer-associated diabetes from the more common type-2 diabetes by use of a (serological) biomarker.

New-onset diabetes: a potential clue to the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis because cancer-specific symptoms occur only at an advanced stage. If the cancer is to be discovered early, screening will need to be done in asymptomatic individuals. Because the incidence of pancreatic cancer is low, screening for asymptomatic cancer in the general population is not feasible; therefore, screening will need to be restricted to people at high risk of this disease. The proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer who also have hyperglycaemia or diabetes has previously been under appreciated. New data show that up to 80% of patients are either hyperglycaemic or diabetic, both of which can be detected in the presymptomatic phase. Diabetes has been shown to improve after pancreatic-cancer resection, suggesting that diabetes is caused by the cancer. Conversely, older patients with new-onset diabetes have about an eight-times higher risk of having pancreatic cancer than the general population. Recognition of new-onset diabetes as an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer could lead to the diagnosis of asymptomatic, early-stage pancreatic cancer. However, primary type-2 diabetes is common in the general population and pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon, and the two forms of diabetes are clinically indistinguishable. The success of a strategy using new-onset hyperglycaemia and diabetes as a screening tool to identify people with a high likelihood of having asymptomatic pancreatic cancer will depend largely on our ability to differentiate pancreatic-cancer-associated diabetes from the more common type-2 diabetes by use of a (serological) biomarker.

Pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes mellitus: prevalence and temporal association with diagnosis of cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The temporal association between diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer is poorly understood. We compared temporal patterns in diabetes prevalence in pancreatic cancer and controls.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of pancreatic cancer cases residing within 120 miles or less of Rochester, Minnesota, seen at the Mayo Clinic between January 15, 1981, and July 9, 2004, and approximately 2 matched controls/case residing locally. We abstracted all outpatient fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels for up to 60 months before index (ie, date of cancer diagnosis for cases) and grouped them into 12-month intervals; 736 cases and 1875 controls had 1 or more outpatient FBG levels in the medical record. Diabetes was defined as any FBG level of 126 mg/dL or greater or treatment for diabetes, and was defined as new onset when criteria for diabetes were first met 24 or fewer months before index, with at least 1 prior FBG level less than 126 mg/dL.

RESULTS

A higher proportion of pancreatic cancer cases compared with controls met the criteria for diabetes at any time in the 60 months before index (40.2% vs 19.2%, P < .0001). The proportions were similar in the -60 to -48 (P = .76) and -48 to -36 (P = .06) month time periods; however, a greater proportion of cases than controls met criteria for diabetes in the -36 to -24 (P = .04), -24 to -12 (P < .001), and -12 to 0 (P < .001) month time periods. Diabetes was more often new onset in cases vs controls (52.3% vs 23.6%, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes has a high (40%) prevalence in pancreatic cancer and frequently is new onset. Identification of a specific biomarker for pancreatic cancer-induced diabetes may allow screening for pancreatic cancer in new-onset diabetes.

Resectability of presymptomatic pancreatic cancer and its relationship to onset of diabetes: a retrospective review of CT scans and fasting glucose values prior to diagnosis

BACKGROUND

The timeline of progression of pancreatic cancer from resectable to unresectable disease is unknown. New-onset diabetes often occurs in pancreatic cancer. It is unclear if the cancer is resectable at the onset of diabetes. We (a) determined the resectability of pancreatic cancer on abdominal CT scans done prior to clinical diagnosis and (b) correlated resectability with onset of diabetes.

METHODS

All CT scans done at diagnosis or before pancreatic cancer diagnosis were reviewed and pancreatic changes classified as normal, potentially resectable, or unresectable pancreatic cancer. Fasting blood glucose values obtained at and prior to diagnosis were available in 18 patients. The date of onset of diabetes and the interval between onset of diabetes and diagnosis of cancer were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Prior to diagnosis, 28 patients had 38 CT scans done at a median of 18 months (range 1-41) before cancer diagnosis. At cancer diagnosis, only 7/30 patients could undergo margin-negative surgical resection. CT scans done >/=6 months prior to diagnosis showed either a normal pancreas (N = 20) or a resectable mass (N = 6); none had unresectable cancer. The mean interval between onset of diabetes and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was 10 months (range 5-29 months). At the onset of diabetes, 3 patients had normal pancreas, 6 had resectable, and 4 had unresectable pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer is frequently undetectable or resectable on CT scans done >/=6 months prior to clinical diagnosis. At onset of diabetes, pancreatic cancers are generally resectable.

Detecting early pancreatic cancer: problems and prospects

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. Improving survival will require diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer, which can be defined based on resectability, size, or curability. Pancreatic cancer progresses from noninvasive precursor lesions to invasive cancer over a variable time period. Retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) scans performed prior to diagnosis suggests that pancreatic cancer resectability may be significantly improved if detected as few as 6 months before clinical diagnosis. Since pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon, to allow cost-effective screening the populations will have to be enriched for the disease using two "sieves." The first sieve would identify a population of subjects at higher than average risk of pancreatic cancer and the second sieve could be a characteristic phenotype among the members of the high-risk group, an abnormality seen on noninvasive imaging or a serologic marker of early pancreatic cancer. So far two high-risk groups have been targets of screening for pancreatic cancer: hereditary pancreatic cancer kindreds and new-onset diabetes. There is no serologic marker of early pancreatic cancer. Confirmation of diagnosis usually requires invasive procedures such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Although much work still needs to be done, the developments in the field provide us with hope that screening for early pancreatic cancer could become a reality in the not-so-distant future.

[Risk factors of pancreatic carcinoma]

History of diabetes, chronic pancreatitis for more than 15 years, and mucinous tumors such as mucinous cystadenoma and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas are all risk factors for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Recent diabetes with gastrointestinal disorders or weight loss, acute idiopathic and recurrent pancreatitis, the discovery of a cystic lesion in the pancreatic region -all these require exhaustive imaging of the pancreas. In other words, the diagnosis of these benign tumors that risk degeneration into malignancy must not be neglected because practically it is the only way to provide early treatment of pancreatic cancer. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer remains difficult today in the absence of reliable serum markers and clearly specific clinical situations at its onset.

New-onset diabetes and pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although many individuals with pancreatic cancer have diabetes, the association between new-onset diabetes mellitus and the subsequent incidence of pancreatic cancer is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the incidence of pancreatic cancer subsequent to a new diabetes diagnosis and to evaluate factors associated with a subsequent pancreatic cancer diagnosis. We used the Veterans Health Administration National Patient Care Database to assemble a cohort of 1,421,794 US veterans without prior diabetes or pancreatic cancer diagnoses. We recorded coding for new diabetes diagnoses (> or =2 International Classification of Diseases-9 codes for diabetes within a 12-month period), pancreatic cancer, age, sex, race, and common gastrointestinal symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 36,631 (2.6%) of the 1,421,794 veterans were diagnosed with new-onset diabetes in 1999; 149 subsequently received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer incidence in patients with new-onset diabetes (83.8/100,000 person-years) was 2.2-fold higher (95% confidence interval, 1.84-2.56) than in nondiabetics, and was highest during the first 2 years after diabetes diagnosis. One additional pancreatic cancer was diagnosed for every 332 new diabetics over 6 years. A subsequent pancreatic cancer diagnosis (among new-onset diabetics) was associated independently with younger age groups, changes in bowel habits, constipation, epigastric pain, and malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

New-onset diabetes was associated with a significantly increased rate of pancreatic cancer diagnosis, particularly in the first 2 years after diabetes diagnosis. Factors associated with pancreatic cancer diagnosis included younger age groups and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. The absolute incidence of pancreatic cancer was low.

Tumeur intracanalaire papillaire mucineuse du pancréas révélée par une pancréatite aiguë et un diabète

INTRODUCTION

Imaging of the pancreas soon after diagnosis of diabetes can help screen for tumors.

CASE

A 45 year-old man with recently diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes and no other notable history was found to have intraductal papillary mucinous tumour of the pancreas (IPMTP), a month after an unexplained and benign acute pancreatitis.

DISCUSSION

The histology of IPMTP differs from that of the adenocarcinomas usually described in these circumstances, and they are far rarer. Because they carry the risk of malignant degeneration, early diagnosis is important. Surgery is the only curative treatment and should therefore be discussed.

Probability of pancreatic cancer following diabetes: a population-based study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although diabetes occurs frequently in pancreatic cancer, the value of new-onset diabetes as a marker of underlying pancreatic cancer is unknown.

METHODS

We assembled a population-based cohort of 2122 Rochester, Minnesota, residents age > or =50 years who first met standardized criteria for diabetes between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1994, and identified those who developed pancreatic cancer within 3 years of meeting criteria for diabetes. We compared observed rates of pancreatic cancer with expected rates based on the Iowa Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry. In a nested case control study, we compared body mass index (BMI) and smoking status in diabetes subjects with and without pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

Of 2122 diabetic subjects, 18 (0.85%) were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within 3 years of meeting criteria for diabetes; 10 of 18 (56%) were diagnosed <6 months after first meeting criteria for diabetes, and 3 were resected. The observed-to-expected ratio of pancreatic cancer in the cohort was 7.94 (95% CI, 4.70-12.55). Compared with subjects without pancreatic cancer, diabetic subjects with pancreatic cancer were more likely to have met diabetes criteria after age 69 (OR = 4.52, 95% CI, 1.61-12.74) years but did not differ significantly with respect to BMI values (29.2 +/- 6.8 vs 26.5 +/- 5.0, respectively). A larger proportion of those who developed pancreatic cancer were ever smokers (92% vs 69%, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1% of diabetes subjects aged > or =50 years will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer within 3 years of first meeting criteria for diabetes. The usefulness of new-onset diabetes as marker of early pancreatic cancer needs further evaluation.

Construction of an "artificial beta cell": Modulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from HepG2 cell

AIM: To construct an "artificial beta cell" which exhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from a human hepatoma cell line.

METHODS: HepG2 cells were infected with recombinant retrovirus carrying glucokinase (gk) gene and mutant proinsulin (mpin) gene, then selectively cultured with G418 to obtain the positive clones. gk gene and mpin gene transcription and expression were identified by radio-immunity, SDS-PAGE, Western-blot and RT-PCR techniques. At last, we tested the dose-response effect of glucose on insulin secretion from the "artificial beta cell", and HepG2 cells with mpin gene transferred as control.

RESULTS: HepG2 cells with gk gene and mpin gene transferred were selectively cultured with G418 and the positive clones were obtained in 3 weeks. Four clones with gk gene and mpin gene expression were selected out by radio-immunity, SDS-PAGE, Western-blot from 20 positive clones. We picked up one clone with strong gk gene and mpin gene expression and named it clone "b". It was proved that the clone "b" had gk gene and mpin gene transcription by RT-PCR. In the clone "b", the differences in the insulin secretion at 0.5 mmol/L and 0.75 mmol/L glucose concentration were not significant (P >0.05), and the differences in the insulin secretion at 2.0 mmol/L, 3.0 mmol/L, 4.0 mmol/L, 5.0 mmol/L and 6.0 mmol/L glucose concentration were also not significant (P >0.05), while there were significant differences in the insulin secretion at the other glucose concentration(P <0.05). In HepG2 cells with mpin gene transferred, there were no significant differences in the insulin secretion at any glucose concentration(P >0.05). The "artificial beta cell" obtained a glucose-stimulated insulin secretion with maximal insulin secretion at 1.75-2 mmol/L glucose concentration.

CONCLUSION: An "artificial beta cell" is successfully constructed.