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Cancer research

Glycaemic Control Crucial in Reducing Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research findings from the University of Hong Kong have shed light on the significance of glycaemic control in preventing pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Gut, a peer-reviewed journal, aimed to investigate the effects of glycaemic control on pancreatic cancer development in patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes. The research revealed that optimal glycaemic control was associated with a lower risk of pancreatic cancer and related mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of adults with type 2 diabetes from a territory-wide healthcare registry in Hong Kong.
  • The researchers followed 3,234 patients from their type 2 diabetes diagnosis until pancreatic cancer, death, pancreatectomy, or the end of the study (December 2020).
  • Patients with optimal glycaemic control, defined as a time-weighted mean haemoglobin A1c (A1c) of 9.0%, had a 46% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer and 14% reduced risk with every 1% rise in A1c.
  • The study found that patients with optimal glycaemic control also experienced lower pancreatic cancer-related mortality (aHR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.41) and all-cause mortality (aHR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.85).
  • The research concluded that further multicentre cohort studies are warranted to confirm the findings and explore the oncopreventive strategy of glycaemic control.

Statistics:

  • 3,234 patients were included in the study from a territory-wide healthcare registry in Hong Kong.
  • The researchers observed a 46% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk with every 1% rise in A1c.
  • The study found a 14% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk with every 1 mmol/L rise in fasting glucose (FG).
  • Patients with optimal glycaemic control experienced a 35% reduction in pancreatic cancer-related mortality.
  • Patients with optimal glycaemic control also experienced an 83% reduction in all-cause mortality.

Sources:

  • Seto, W. K. et al. (2025). Glycaemic Control Is a Modifiable Risk Factor for Pancreatic Cancer Development In Patients With Diabetes: a Population-based Cohort Study. Gut.
  • BMJ Publishing Group. (2025). Gut. British Med Assoc House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England.
  • Seto, W. K. et al. (2025). Additional information may be obtained by contacting Wai-Kay Seto, University of Hong Kong, School of Clinical Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.

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