ADA STATEMENT

Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), published a series of research papers today examining a possible link between insulin glargine (brand name, Lantus) and cancer.  Findings from these research papers are conflicting and inconclusive, and the American Diabetes Association cautions against over-reaction until more information is available.

Four different population based studies were reported and published in Diabetologia and the data within these studies and between these studies are conflicting and confusing.  Until more information is available, the American Diabetes Association advises patients using insulin not to stop taking it.

For patients using glargine and considering switching to another form of insulin, the data in these studies make it unclear as to whether any one type of insulin increases the risk of cancer more than other types of insulin.  

Patients concerned about these studies or their insulin regimen should talk to their doctor and should not stop taking their insulin on the basis of the findings reported here.

Insulin is a hormone normally produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose for energy.  All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to survive; many patients with type 2 diabetes also need to take insulin to control their blood glucose.

Glargine insulin, which as been widely used since 2000, is an artificial form of insulin that is typically administered once a day.