According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insulin glargine, marketed as Lantus®, may be associated with an increased risk for cancer.

On July 1, 2009, the FDA issued an early communication indicating that it was aware that three of four recently-published observational studies suggested an increased risk for cancer associated with the use of Lantus among diabetics.

Lantus is a modified version of human insulin that has the advantage of allowing blood sugar control for extended periods of time. Although the observational studies reported some level of association between the use of insulin glargine and various types of cancer, the duration of follow-up in these studies was shorter than the time period generally considered necessary to evaluate for cancer risk from drug exposure. There are also inconsistencies both within and across the studies that raise concern as to whether a true association between insulin glargine and cancer really exists.

Based on the currently available scientific data, the FDA has advised that patients on Lantus should not stop taking their insulin therapy without first consulting a physician, as uncontrolled blood sugar levels can have both immediate and long-term adverse effects. The FDA is currently reviewing many sources of safety data for Lantus to better understand the risk, if any, for cancer. When additional information is available, the FDA will communicate the results to the public.

Source:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Postmarket Drug Safety Information for Patients and Providers, July 1, 2009.