Metformin use was associated with better survival for patients with renal cell carcinoma and diabetes in a meta-analysis, investigators report.
Yang Li, MD, and associates at Chongqing (China) Medical University, performed a pooled analysis of data from 254,329 patients with both localized and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and found the risk of mortality was reduced in patients exposed to metformin (hazard ratio, 0.41; P less than .001).
However, there was significant heterogeneity among the eight eligible studies included in the meta-analysis, Dr. Li and associates reported (Int Urol Nephrol. 2017 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s11255-017-1548-4).
In a subgroup analysis, the association held in patients with localized disease, but was not significant in those with metastatic disease.
The current meta-analysis suggests that the use of metformin could improve the survival of kidney cancer patients, particularly those with localized disease; however, further studies are needed, the investigators conclude.
The authors declared that they had no conflicts of interest.