Leptin and Adiponectin in Pancreatic Cancer: Connection with Diabetes Mellitus

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of serum leptin as well as adiponectin and the manifestation of pancreatic cancer (PC). Serum leptin, adiponectin, glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance (expressed as HOMA-IR) were investigated in 64 patients with newly diagnosed PC and compared with 64 healthy controls (CON group) and 75 patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Seventy percent of newly diagnosed PC patients had DM2. The levels of leptin were lower, whilst adiponectin/leptin ratio was higher in PC patients (both with and without DM2), in comparison with CON and DM2 groups (P < 0.001) independently of age, BMI and waist circumference. Newly diagnosed PC is characterized with lower leptin concentrations and higher adiponectin/leptin ratio in comparison with CON or DM2 individuals. Analysis of these parameters could help in the screening of persons in high risk for PC, especially in those with DM2.

Keywords: adiponectin, leptin, pancreatic cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus.