Metformin may lower cancer risk in people with Type 2 diabetes

June 25, 2012 in Diabetes

A commonly prescribed diabetes drug, metformin, reduces the overall cancer risk in people with Type 2 diabetes, a large systematic review study finds. The results to be presented at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

" increases the risk for several types of cancer," said lead author Diego Espinoza-Peralta, MD, an endocrinologist with Mexico's National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion) in Mexico City. "Our findings suggest that the regular use of metformin—a low-cost medication— reduces this risk, compared with not taking metformin."

Espinoza-Peralta and his colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, or combined statistical analysis, of reported studies that evaluated cancer risk in patients with Type 2 diabetes. They analyzed seven relevant studies that included more than 32,400 Type 2 diabetic patients who had no other known condition that increased their .

The investigators found that the odds of getting any type of cancer was 0.62 times less—an estimated 38 percent relative risk reduction—with daily continuous use of metformin than for those with no exposure to metformin.

"This risk reduction with metformin use extended to certain types of cancers, specifically colon and breast cancer," Espinoza-Peralta said.

Colorectal cancer and breast cancer are among the cancers that studies have found to occur more often in people with Type 2 diabetes. There was no risk reduction, however, in pancreatic cancer, another type of cancer for which people with Type 2 diabetes are at increased risk, the authors reported.

Metformin, which is the standard recommended initial treatment of Type 2 , may protect against cancer because it regulates activity of an enzyme that suppresses cell growth, according to Espinoza-Peralta.

"There is growing evidence that brings more benefits to diabetic patients beyond glucose control," he said.

Provided by The Endocrine Society search and more info website

not rated yet  

Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Exercise prevents fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia

(HealthDay)—Moderate aerobic exercise prevents fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia in healthy males, according to a study published online May 14 in Diabetes.

Diabetes created May 17, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

DNA variant affects diabetes risk and treatment response

A DNA variant near a digestive enzyme does not only affect risk of developing diabetes but also affects the response to treatment, an international consortium of researchers including the University of Dundee has found.

Diabetes created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

The artificial pancreas that keeps tabs on sugar

(Medical Xpress)—Development of a sophisticated artificial pancreas holds potential to transform the lives of patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes created May 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study findings significant for treating infections in Type 1 diabetes

A small University at Buffalo study has found for the first time that in Type 1 diabetics, insulin injections exert a strong anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular and molecular level, while even small amounts of glucose ...

Diabetes created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Hospital hypoglycemia rates up in black men with diabetes

(HealthDay)—Home diabetes regimens partially explain the increased risk of having a hypoglycemia event during hospitalization among older African-American men with diabetes, according to a study published ...

Diabetes created May 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Researchers identify a potential new risk for sleep apnea: Asthma

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have identified a potential new risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea: asthma. Using data from the National Institutes of Health (Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)-funded Wisconsin ...

Study finds that sleep apnea and Alzheimer's are linked

A new study looking at sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging adds to the growing body of research linking the two.

Computational tool translates complex data into simplified 2-dimensional images

In their quest to learn more about the variability of cells between and within tissues, biomedical scientists have devised tools capable of simultaneously measuring dozens of characteristics of individual ...

New theory on genesis of osteoarthritis comes with successful therapy in mice

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have turned their view of osteoarthritis (OA) inside out. Literally. Instead of seeing the painful degenerative disease as a problem primarily of the cartilage that cushions joints, ...

'Gap' for HIV vaccine efforts after latest setback

The hunt for an HIV vaccine has gobbled up $8 billion in the past decade, and the failure of the most recent efficacy trial has delivered yet another setback to 26 years of efforts.

Ginger compounds may be effective in treating asthma symptoms

Gourmands and foodies everywhere have long recognized ginger as a great way to add a little peppery zing to both sweet and savory dishes; now, a study from researchers at Columbia University shows purified components of the ...