Lantus Inconclusive Study Reveals Possible Link with Cancer

Emma Claremont · Jul 9, 2009

Hello,

I've been a long-term "lurker"! I've read most posts during the last 12 months, but this is my first time, and I thought it might be something of interest to those amongst us whose health is dependent upon insulin injections.

I've recently discovered that 3 different studies carried out in Sweden, Germany and Scotland have revealed that there might (just "might") be a link between Lantus and cancer, particularly in Type 2s who use Lantus as mono-therapy (i.e. they don't use a rapid acting insulin as well as their basal insulin).

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes published a press release (26/06/2009) titled "Lantus insulin: a possible link with cancer which requires further investigation", this has been passed to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), who have said the report is not conclusive, and that a relationship between insulin glargine (Lantus) and cancer cannot be confirmed nor excluded, but have suggested that the EASD report requires further in-depth evaluation.

For a little more information take a look at http://www.wightneedles.co.uk/insulin/lantus-glargine-insulin/

Sorry to not to write some positive news in my first posting, but I thought the information might be important.

Emma

ShyGirl · Jul 9, 2009

I found out that my meds (Januvia) are supposed to cause cancer. Can't win as a Diabetic , all my medications seem to have some side effect like heart attacks , cancers etc

cugila · Jul 9, 2009

Just so people don't start to panic over this. There were actually 4 studies made the 4th one being in the UK.

Here is the link to the EASD (European Association for the study of Diabetes) Patient information regarding this study, which is not the same as a Clinical Trial. Therefore it has to be treated with some reserve. See conclusion below and in the full information.

http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/can ... ntinfo.pdf

A small extract:
What did the researchers conclude?
The researchers involved in these four studies all agree that these findings are not conclusive. The need for caution arises mainly from the fact that these are observational studies, and not clinical trials. A clinical trial ensures that patients on different treatments are exactly alike in every respect apart from the treatment.

An observational study examines groups of people who may differ in many ways, such as age or type of diabetes, and then makes statistical adjustments to allow for these differences. Even carefully performed analyses, such as those reported here, cannot exclude the possibility that differences in cancer risk may be due to differences between the groups of people included in the analysis, rather than to differences between the treatments they are on. This means that further studies are needed before we can reach a final conclusion.

The EASD has already started discussions with sanofi-aventis, the makers of insulin glargine, as to how these studies might be conducted.

Insulin itself is a very safe form of treatment, and the researchers would emphasise that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that treatment with this insulin analogue actually causes cancer: at worst, it might promote growth of cancers that are already present but have yet to be diagnosed.

But experts stress patients should not stop using insulin and consult their doctor if concerned.

Ken.

phoenix · Jul 9, 2009

Re: Lantus Inconclusive Study Releals Possible Link with Cancer

Snap Ken!
This came out a couple of weeks ago, but surprisingly hasn't been used for a shock horror story in the press. Please read it carefuly and don't panic
Original Press release here
http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/cancer.html
patient information from the EASD
http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/cancer_files/patientinfo.pdf
and webcast here, it wouldn't work in the original browser on my computer, but pressing the word statement at the top righthand side opened a new one which worked... frustratingly slowly
http://webcast.easd.org/press/glargine/glargine.htm

Edit to add this as I've just read th e summary paper which puts it into perspective. Very interesting (though difficult) reading for everyone as it discusses cancer and diabetes (focusing on type 2) and diabetes drugs in general particularly the suggestion that metformin may be protective against some cancers.
http://webcast.easd.org/press/glargine/download/090831Smith2ndproofs.pdf
This is from the conclusion:

The focus of this series of investigations has been on
insulin glargine. It has not proved possible to place
insulin detemir under similar scrutiny, but it would be
prudent for this insulin analogue to be investigated in
more detail. On current evidence, the short-acting
analogues do not appear to present a potential problem.
With respect to insulin glargine, it is in no one’s interest
to mount a witch-hunt against this popular and widely
used insulin—many will reflect upon the fate of
rosiglitazone—but it is in everyone’s interest for the
truth to be known. The evidence presented in this set of
papers is sufficient to establish that there is a case to
answer, but is entirely insufficient to bring in a verdict.
Certain reassurances do, however, seem justified. There
is no evidence that insulin, however formulated, causes
cancer. There is no evidence of an overall increase in the
rate of cancer development in patients on insulin
glargine, and some suggestion that the risk may actually
be reduced. There is no evidence of harm in type 1
diabetes, or in premenopausal breast cancer. On the other
hand, it has to be said that insulin glargine has not been
shown to be more effective than human insulin in
achieving glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes; its main
benefit (if any) is in relation to symptomatic episodes of
nocturnal hypoglycaemia [49–52]. We have safe and effective

alternatives to offer our patients with type 2 diabete

janabelle · Jul 9, 2009

And for type-1s!!
Jus

janabelle · Jul 9, 2009

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1956 ... d_RVDocSum

http://www.prescriber.org.uk/2009/07/gl ... -concerns/

Jus

janabelle · Jul 10, 2009

Thanks Emma for posting this subject.
I hate Lantus with a passion for the problems it caused me, and how ill it made me for the 4 1/2 years I was unfortunate to be on it.
I'm not sorry to hear negative news about Lantus, and it does not surprise me-the sooner patients get off this muck the better, in my opinion. These studies show that there are serious concerns about the safety of Lantus.
I know how ill it made me, and do worry about how it may have harmed me long term, not just the uncontrolled blood sugars; but glad I'm no longer a human ginuea pig :evil:
Jus

cugila · Jul 10, 2009

Mmmmmh......
Personal opinions aside.

The EMEA are advising that patients being treated with insulin glargine should continue their treatment as normal. The advice also states that there is no immediate need to change treatment.

janabelle · Jul 10, 2009

How very reassuring.

DiaBetty · Jul 10, 2009

Yes it is! It was very good of you to put that link in with that info in it.You should have posted that on here yourself! We don't need scare stories,diabetes is scary enough.

Emma Claremont · Jul 11, 2009

Hello DiaBetty,

DiaBetty said:
Yes it is! It was very good of you to put that link in with that info in it.You should have posted that on here yourself! We don't need scare stories,diabetes is scary enough.

Hi DiaBetty,

Yes you're right diabetes is a scary thing! We need all the information about it to live as healthy and as active as we can. To be armed with information is a great tool in our self management and treatment decisions, and that too is why this fantastic forum should be essential reading for anyone who has diabetes. Sometimes the news isn't so good, and I'm sorry if my post seemed frightening or scaremongering - That was not my intention.

The reason for sharing the information about the studies was so that anyone who uses Lantus, or is considering changing to or from Lantus, can have all the up to date facts about it. Once armed with this information we can better make an informed decision about it's role in our diabetic management (with the involvement of health professionals).

The main thing the report says is that it is inconclusive whether or not Lantus has connections with cancer. The studies do raise questions for further investigation, before anyone can deny or confirm the cancer link.

Once again sorry to have caused concern, and I hope you have a nice weekend.

Emma

Emma Claremont · Jul 11, 2009

cugila said:
Just so people don't start to panic over this.

Hello Ken,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Did you know that the first person to cause concern in any forum is often the first person to use the word "panic"!

So forgive me if you believe I've caused undue concern.

My intention was to help anyone who does or might consider using Lantus to be armed with all the information available, in order to make an informed decision about its use in their personal diabetes management. Nothing else, certainly not to cause the "P" word!

Take care
Emma

Emma Claremont · Jul 11, 2009

janabelle said:
Thanks Emma for posting this subject.
I hate Lantus with a passion for the problems it caused me, and how ill it made me for the 4 1/2 years I was unfortunate to be on it.
I'm not sorry to hear negative news about Lantus, and it does not surprise me-the sooner patients get off this muck the better, in my opinion. These studies show that there are serious concerns about the safety of Lantus.
I know how ill it made me, and do worry about how it may have harmed me long term, not just the uncontrolled blood sugars; but glad I'm no longer a human ginuea pig :evil:
Jus

Hi Jus,

Thanks for your thanks! I was beginning to feel that my post was unwelcome!

Take care
Emma.

cugila · Jul 11, 2009

Hi Emma.

Panic. No not really, just seeking to get all the facts out. Your OP was short on all the facts, so I made sure they were aired here. That's what I like to do. It has been very informative now we have seen all the available 'evidence' without bit's being left out.

In my experience the word 'Cancer' causes more panic than the actual word panic. As a new poster and an experienced Diabetic how about joining in elsewhere now you are more up to speed. We like a good debate.

Ken.

Emma Claremont · Jul 11, 2009

cugila said:
Mmmmmh......
Personal opinions aside.

The EMEA are advising that patients being treated with insulin glargine should continue their treatment as normal. The advice also states that there is no immediate need to change treatment.

Hi Ken, thanks for quoting the above from the EMEA pdf http://www.emea.europa.eu/humandocs/PDFs/EPAR/Lantus/40847409en.pdf However, perhaps in doing so you've unintentionally lessened the emphasis on the importance of a POSSIBLE link with cancer by omitting the last few words in the EMEA paragraph

. . . "In case of any concerns, patients should consult their doctor".

Perhaps it could be assumed that this consultation would be with a view to changing insulin? We can draw our own conclusions.

The information quoted above needs to be balanced with that published by the EASD and the charity Diabetes UK on their websites. They say: http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/cancer.html#press

While this research is awaited, EASD advises that patients do not stop taking Lantus insulin on the basis of the findings reported here. However, since Lantus does not offer better overall glucose control than human insulin in type 2 diabetes, patients can consider alternatives. In an advice leaflet published with the studies, Profs Gale and Smith say: "People with diabetes do however have the option of using long acting human insulin or a mixture of long- and short-acting human insulin twice a day instead of the once-daily analogue. You may wish to consider this option if you already have a cancer, or, for women, if there is a family history of breast cancer. You should not make any change in your insulin treatment without consulting your own doctor, and you should on no account stop taking your insulin".

The charity Diabetes UK is not suggesting "there is no immediate need to change treatment", they suggest as do most bodies involved that people concerned should speak with the doctor. http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News_Landing_Page/Inconclusive-research-links-glargine-insulin-Lantus-with-cancer/

“People with diabetes who are using glargine insulin should continue to take their medication as prescribed. You will become very ill if you stop taking your insulin. If you are concerned about these findings then you should speak to your healthcare team about your anxieties before discontinuing any treatment.”

Ken, I'm a little curious as to why you seem to have become the Knight in Shining Armour for Lantus? Ususally if someone raises a Typle 1 question you (quite rightly) encourage responses from the T1 community. What was so different this time? Why did you have the urge to become the defender for Lantus? Is this based on your own personal experience? It's possible that toning down the importance of the POSSIBLE link with cancer of any drug/medication is as immoral as over-emphasing the possible link.

Take care and enjoy the weekend
Emma

cugila · Jul 11, 2009

Hi Emma.

I have no interest in Lantus or any other medications. To infer that I have is not true.

We have also had a shortage of T1's as well as T2's on Insulin at the moment. That is nothing to do with me. I am sure they will all comment and draw their own conclusions in their own time.

My aim if you read my previous post is to get ALL the facts out. You seem to have a great deal of prepared information to hand. Perhaps I should think you also have an ulterior motive ?

Oh, by the way to consult your GP is a stock phrase to cover all eventualities. A sensible piece of advice in my view.

Thank you for your kind words. I do plan to have a great weekend. I hope you do too.

Ken.

Emma Claremont · Jul 11, 2009

Hi Ken,

My aim if you read my previous post is to get ALL the facts out.

Sorry Ken, the wonders of the internet! I hadn't refreshed my screen until after my post and so missed reading your own

You seem to have a great deal of prepared information to hand. Perhaps I should think you also have an ulterior motive ?

No ulterior motive, to use your own words "To infer that I have is not true". I'm just someone with with diabetes - that's all.

Oh, by the way to consult you GP is a stock phrase to cover all eventualities. A sensible piece of advice in my view.

Agreed - obviously!

Thank you for your kind words. I do plan to have a great weekend. I hope you do too.

Thanks
Emma

SweetLaurie · Aug 12, 2009

Hey everyone,

thanks for all the info.

I've been on lantus for about 4 month.
I used Levimir before that, I changed as my morning bloodsugar were appaling, and they still are.
All Lantus has not helped me, but the reverse happened.
Now that it could cause cancer I have one more incentive to change back to Levimir.
Even if it is just a suspicion, I would rather be cautious than risk it.
Diabetes is hard enough to handle as it less even harder when you're ill.

Celtic.Piskie · Aug 12, 2009

I've been on Lantus for about 5 years.

I've never had any problems with it. I've worked as a ski instructor, had a child, and nothing has worked better for my lifestyle.
Unfortunatly some people will react badly to some medications.
That doesn't mean it's a bad medication and everyone should get off it, because it works wonderfully for me and i wouldn't change it for anything.

All links should be investigated, but these number manipulation 'trials' are just terribly innaccurate, and honestly don't prove anything. There may be a link between people on Lantus, and people with cancer.
That could be for any number of reasons.

welshbunny · Aug 12, 2009

Hi Emma and thanks for your initial post. If you hadnt written on here I wouldnt have known anything about it and no matter what the eventual findings are, its always good to know about these things. I have been on lantus now about a year so was interested and as your heading stated "Inconclusive" thats exactly how I read it.

As for certain replies you got it has put me off posting on here, you put a simple post on here quite innocently ....... !!! enough said.

Welshbunny

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