Metformin and risk of hematological cancers in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The effect of metformin use in patients with diabetes against the hematological cancers (HCs) has been contradictory. This meta-analysis, carried out on studies published in databases, aimed to investigate the association of metformin use and the odds of HCs. We systematically searched Scopus and PubMed databases to include related studies considering the relation of metformin use and the risk of HCs as outcome. Eleven studies, comprising a total of 2 318 217 participants, were included. The analysis revealed that metformin use in patients with diabetes was significantly associated with a decreased risk of HCs (OR=0.88; 95%CI: 0.79–0.98), with significant heterogeneity. In the subgroup analysis, this association was found to be significant only for multiple myeloma (OR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.55–0.81). A significant evidence for heterogeneity and publication bias was detected. Metformin use in patients with diabetes may be linked to the reduced risk of HCs. FUNDING: No external funding.