Scientists have found that a cancer drug, already approved for use in humans, could also help treat diabetes.
A pair of studies by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine identified a molecular pathway involved in the development of diabetes.
They also found that the drug, aflibercept - marketed as Eylea or Zaltrap - can regulate this pathway.
The drug is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer and a form of macular degeneration.
Aflibercept is a member of a family of proteins that inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, pathway. It works by blocking the growth of the blood vessels into tumours and starving them of oxygen.
The new studies, done in mice, identified a previously unexpected link between a low-oxygen condition called hypoxia and the ability of cells in the liver to respond to insulin.
Researchers identified a series of protein interactions that link VEGF inhibitors and blood glucose levels.
"We were surprised to find that this drug currently used in patients for cancer treatment had beneficial effects on diabetes in laboratory mice and could, potentially, in humans," said Calvin Kuo, senior author of one of the studies.
"Proteins involved in this pathway could also be targeted for the development of new diabetes therapies," said Amato Giaccia, senior author of the other paper.
Together, the studies explain an observation made several years ago by Kuo and his lab members that VEGF inhibitors, such as aflibercept, could lower blood glucose levels in mice.
"Anecdotally, there have been reports that diabetic patients who have been prescribed VEGF inhibitors to treat their cancer are better able to control their diabetes," Kuo said.
The findings are published in two articles in journal Nature Medicine.
