**A PhD Dissertation Discussed in the Department of Life Sciences Explores the Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes

A PhD dissertation entitled *”Investigating the Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes Through Selected Physiological and Biochemical Variables in Baghdad City”* was discussed in the Department of Life Sciences at the College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Samarra. The dissertation was presented by researcher **Huda Hassan Mahdi**.

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal cancers and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to explore the reciprocal association between the two conditions. This was achieved by measuring several growth factors, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The research also measured fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, in addition to assessing certain immune markers, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

The study findings indicated that type 2 diabetes leads to the accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream, which may contribute to cancer development through elevated hepatocyte growth factor levels. The results also showed that cancer affects the immune system by reducing lymphocyte counts and altering certain hematological parameters, as well as causing changes in the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in blood glucose, insulin levels, waist circumference, and insulin resistance among patients with diabetes and cancer.