Insulin: The Hidden Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer Metastasis – Driving metastatic potential of SKOV3 cancer cells via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition mechanism

Metastasis significantly worsens cancer prognosis and survival, with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients facing an even higher risk of metastatic progression. Recent studies emphasize changes in the tumour microenvironment (TME), including angiogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, early detection of metastasis and identification of high-risk TME factors remain challenging. Here, we investigate insulin, known for promoting cell growth and stem cell self-renewal, as a possible link between T2DM and increased metastatic risk. In our study, insulin induced a mesenchymal phenotype in non-malignant SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells, enhancing their metastatic potential. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of insulin and related hormones in cancer metastasis, potentially clarifying the connection between T2DM and metastatic progression.