The University of California San Diego shows cancer patients receiving pharmacist-led diabetes care had better blood sugar control. The study was published in Diabetes Spectrum on October 30, 2025. Patients referred to a pharmacy-led diabetes management and education clinic saw significant improvements in blood sugar levels over time.
High blood sugar is a complication among people with cancer. About one in five patients have diabetes. What’s more, immunotherapy and corticosteroids (a class of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs) can raise blood sugar even more. Poorly controlled glucose weakens the immune system. It also increases the risk of infection and even reduces the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Despite the risks, there haven’t been many studies that have figured out the best way to manage blood sugar, nor what role pharmacists could take on.
In a four-year UC San Diego study, cancer patients receiving pharmacist-led diabetes care saw lasting blood sugar improvements. This was over three, six, and nine month spans. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data showed patients spent more time in a range with fewer fluctuations. Patients’ average hemoglobin A1c dropped about one point within 3-9 months of starting the program. Generally, patients had about two pharmacist visits and six follow-ups, highlighting the clinic’s sustained engagement.
Pharmacists can improve blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. However, few studies assess their impact in cancer patients. This is one of the first studies to evaluate their impact specifically in patients with cancer. Researchers noted that blood sugar management is difficult in this group, as cancer treatments often cause large glucose swings.
Your independent pharmacy offers specialized expertise, optimizing medications, interpreting glucose data, and guiding patients daily. Further research is needed to confirm outcomes like emergency visits, hospitalizations, infections, and treatment delays. Closer collaboration with oncology teams could enable faster interventions and stronger continuity of care.
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