Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Epidemiological studies have shown that abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism is associated with a variety of malignant tumors, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. In this paper, the role of abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, especially diabetes mellitus and obesity, in the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and its pathogenesis are reviewed based on the research results of our group and the literature. Hyperglycemia and insulinemia in diabetes mellitus are the main mechanisms that increase the risk of cancer. Our research shows that hyperglycemia can promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through the glycolytic enzyme M2 pyruvate kinase (PKM2) and hexokinase 2 (HK2). Hyperinsulinemia can promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma by activating the insulin-like growth factor signal transduction system. Obese patients are often accompanied by increased serum adipokine Chemerin (Chem). Our study shows that serum Chem concentrations in obese patients with tongue cancer are significantly higher compared with nonobese patients. Chem can regulate the proliferation, invasion and migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells through the SOD2-H₂O₂ signaling pathway. These results provide a basis for the prevention of oral squamous cell carcinoma, provide a new iqdea for the precise treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and suggest that the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma should also actively treat patients with diabetes and obesity.