Effect of metformin on hepatocellular carcinoma patients with type II diabetes receiving transarterial chemoembolization: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Abstract
Background: Diabetes is prevalent among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Although the hypoglycemic drug metformin has shown antitumor effects, its potential positive effect on patients with HCC and diabetes undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of metformin in patients with HCC and type II diabetes who are receiving TACE. Materials and methods: This retrospective study involved 372 consecutive patients with HCC and type II diabetes across three medical centers between January 2014 and June 2021. All patients underwent TACE. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce selection bias. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to compare all-cause death between the metformin and nonmetformin groups while competing risk regression was performed to assess cancer-specific death. Results: Among 372 patients included in the study, 208 patients (177 male patients and 31 female patients) with a mean age of 59.6 (10.3) years received metformin, and 164 patients (139 male patients and 25 female patients) with a mean age of 60.3 (10.0) years did not. Before PSM, patients with metformin had significantly longer median overall survival (mOS) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) than those without metformin (mOS: 34 months, 95% CI: 25.6–42.4 vs. 20 months, 95% CI: 15.3–24.7; P<0.001; mPFS: 11 months, 95% CI: 9.3–12.7 vs. 8…
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: 372 participants or records.
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