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Metformin Associates With Aggressive Features of Endometrial Cancer in Women With Type 2 Diabetes

Urpilainen E, Arima R, Karihtala P, Puistola U, Ahtikoski A

Anticancer research, 2021

121 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Preclinical studies on metformin use and endometrial cancer have been promising but epidemiological studies have reported variable results. This study aimed to assess if metformin use is associated with endometrial cancer aggressiveness and survival in women with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective hospital-based cohort consisted of women with T2D who were treated for endometrial cancer at the Oulu University Hospital, Finland, between 2007 and 2014.

RESULTS: The sample size was 121 patients: 58 metformin users and 63 metformin non-users. Intriguingly, type 2 histology, deep myometrial invasion and the presence of lymphovascular invasion were more common in the metformin user group. However, metformin use showed no association with overall survival and progression-free survival.

CONCLUSION: Metformin use was associated with poorer prognostic factors in endometrial cancer patients with T2D.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 121 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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