Drug Repurposing for Reducing the Size of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Context: Benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) are highly prevalent, and current treatment options are primarily invasive. There is a need for effective, noninvasive alternatives.
Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of repurposed pharmacologic agents in reducing the size of BTNs.
Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Scopus were searched from inception to December 18, 2024.
Study selection: We included preclinical and clinical studies evaluating repurposed drugs for BTNs in adults. Of 1499 records screened, 20 studies met inclusion criteria: 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 6 prospective cohorts, 3 retrospective observational studies, 3 case reports, 1 cross-sectional study, and 1 preclinical study.
Data extraction: Data were extracted independently in duplicate using a standardized form.
Data synthesis: Narrative synthesis was conducted due to heterogeneity. Metformin was the most frequently evaluated agent (7 studies), with 5 studies (including 2 RCTs) reporting statistically significant reductions in dominant nodule volume. One prospective study demonstrated a reduction in the maximum nodule diameter, which was not statistically significant, and 1 RCT showed no changes in nodule size after intervention. Statins (4 studies) and somatostatin analogues (4 studies) showed mixed results. Myo-inositol with selenium, herbal formulations, and immune checkpoint inhibitors showed promise in single studies or case reports.
Conclusion: Metformin shows…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment
- Metformin Lysosomal Targeting: A Novel Aspect to Be Investigated for Metformin Repurposing in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
- Aberrant HSF1 signaling activation underlies metformin amelioration of myocardial infarction in mice
- Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
- Protein Interaction Network for Identifying Vascular Response of Metformin (Oral Antidiabetic)
- Preventing Long COVID With Metformin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.