Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2019; 127(07): 445-454
DOI: 10.1055/a-0621-8830
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Metformin and Colorectal Cancer – A Systematic Review.

Jarek Kobiela
1   Department of General, Endocrine, and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
,
Małgorzata Dobrzycka
1   Department of General, Endocrine, and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
,
Piotr Jędrusik
2   Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension, and Angiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
,
Paulina Kobiela
4   Department of Neonalology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
,
Piotr Spychalski
1   Department of General, Endocrine, and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
,
Zbigniew Śledziński
1   Department of General, Endocrine, and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
,
Tomasz Zdrojewski
3   Department of Arterial Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 28 February 2018
revised  24 April 2018

accepted   25 April 2018

Publication Date:
28 June 2018 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Objectives Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The development of preventive strategies in CRC has been the subject of much research. Multiple studies have shown an association between diabetes and CRC. In addition to its glucose-lowering properties, metformin might have an additional role in the prevention and treatment of CRC.

Our objective was to summarize findings on role of metformin in colorectal cancer.

Methods We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed and Cochrane databases from January 2005 to December 2017 in search for studies on the association between metformin and CRC.

Results Of the total of 189 studies identified by the search, we excluded 123 studies and reviewed the remaining 66 studies on cell lines, animals, patients with diabetes, and healthy subjects. In vitro and animal studies have shown a protective effect of metformin use on the incidence of CRC and amplification of the therapeutic effects of CRC chemotherapy. Studies on patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin analyzed data on total of 146 496 patients. The results of those studies on the role of metformin in CRC suggest risk reduction and potential applications within therapeutic regimens, although some of those are conflicting.

Conclusion Further studies are warranted to define the role of metformin in both prevention and treatment of CRC.