Effect of metformin on the incidence of head and neck cancer in diabetics

YC Yen, C Lin, SW Lin, YS Lin, SF Weng - Head & neck, 2015 - Wiley Online Library
YC Yen, C Lin, SW Lin, YS Lin, SF Weng
Head & neck, 2015Wiley Online Library
Background The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of metformin on head and
neck cancer in patients with diabetes. Methods We compared 66,600 patients, all with
diabetes and all newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2002. Half were being
treated with metformin for diabetes (Met+) and half were not (Met−: controls). All were
matched for comorbidities (obesity, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and
hypertension), sex, and age. The risk of head and neck cancer at the end of 2011 was …
Background
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of metformin on head and neck cancer in patients with diabetes.
Methods
We compared 66,600 patients, all with diabetes and all newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2002. Half were being treated with metformin for diabetes (Met+) and half were not (Met: controls). All were matched for comorbidities (obesity, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension), sex, and age. The risk of head and neck cancer at the end of 2011 was determined.
Results
The incidence of head and neck cancer was 34% lower in the Met+ cohort than in the Met cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55–0.79). The risks for oropharyngeal cancer (adjusted HR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.17–0.74) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC; adjusted HR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.31–0.80) were significantly lower in the Met+ cohort than in the Met cohort.
Conclusion
Metformin is associated with a lower risk of developing head and neck cancer in patients with diabetes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 1268–1273, 2015
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