Secondary causes of diabetes: a crossroad of endocrinology and oncology

Authors

• Nicholas Ken Yoong Hee, University of Malaya Medical Centre
• Quan Hziung Lim, University of Malaya Medical Centre
• Kamlesh Khunti, College of Life Sciences
• Ying Guat Ooi, University of Malaya Medical Centre
• I. Weng Yen, National Taiwan University Hospital
• Marniza Saad, Universiti Malaya
• Elif I. Ekinci, Austin Health
• Hung Yuan Li, National Taiwan University Hospital
• Shireene R. Vethakkan, Universiti Malaya
• Juliana C.N. Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Lee Ling Lim, Universiti Malaya

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

5-1-2026

Abstract

Summary Cancer and diabetes share a bidirectional relationship, with cancer increasingly recognised as an associated factor of diabetes, both from the disease itself and its treatments. In this Review, we aim to: (1) summarise the distinct mechanisms of dysglycaemia arising from cancer and neuroendocrine tumour treatments, including targeted therapies such as PI3K–AKT–mTOR inhibitors, antibody–drug conjugates, immune checkpoint inhibitors, corticosteroids, and somatostatin receptor ligands; (2) examine the often overlooked aspect of the secondary cause of diabetes as an early manifestation of cancer; and (3) highlight research gaps and encourage a collaborative care approach to manage the rising rate of dysglycaemia as a result of cancer and its evolving treatments. To address the first two objectives, we incorporate relevant case vignettes to contextualise the discussions.

Keywords

Diabetes Mellitus, Endocrinology, Humans Medical Oncology, Neoplasms, Neuroendocrine Tumors

Publication Title

Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology

ISSN

2213-8587

DOI

10.1016/S2213-8587(26)00027-6

Recommended Citation

Hee, Nicholas Ken Yoong; Lim, Quan Hziung; Khunti, Kamlesh; Ooi, Ying Guat; Yen, I. Weng; Saad, Marniza; Ekinci, Elif I.; Li, Hung Yuan; Vethakkan, Shireene R.; Chan, Juliana C.N.; and Lim, Lee Ling, "Secondary causes of diabetes: a crossroad of endocrinology and oncology" (2026). Research Publications (2026 to 2030). 121.
https://knova.um.edu.my/research_publications_2026_2030/121

Volume

14

Issue

5

First Page

422

Publisher

Elsevier