June 26 - The American Diabetes Association (ADA) said today that findings from European studies examining a possible link between Lantus insulin (insulin glargine) and the risk of being diagnosed with cancer were "conflicting and inconclusive." ADA advised patients using insulin not to stop taking it until more information is available and to talk with their doctor about any concerns.

"For patients using glargine and considering switching to another form of insulin," ADA said in a press release, "the data in these studies make it unclear as to whether any one type of insulin increases the risk of cancer more than other types of insulin."

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), which published studies from Germany, Sweden, Scotland, and England today in its journal Diabetologia, said that the research is not conclusive and that patients "should on no account stop taking your insulin."

Lantus is a widely used, long-acting insulin analogue that was introduced in 2000 and is made by Sanofi-Aventis. Insulin is a hormone normally produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose for energy. All people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin; many patients with type 2 diabetes take insulin to control their blood glucose.

A link to the ADA press release is here.

A link to an EASD patient information sheet is here.

 A link to the Food and Drug Administration's comment on Lantus is here.