INS and cancer: The proliferation of cancer cells which is induced by hyperglycemia/diabetes occurs indirectly by mediating the following processes (1) insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), (2) secretion of leptin/adiponectin, (3) inflammatory responses, (4) production of reactive oxygen species (ROS; oxidative stress) and (5) immune abnormalities (platelet activation) [9].