Association between metformin use and improved survival in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 7 (29th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sandulache, Vlad C.; Hamblin, John S.; Skinner, Heath D.; Kubik, Mark W.; Myers, Jeffrey N.; Zevallos, Jose P.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 36:Issue 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1039
• Page End: 1043
• Publication Date: 2014-01-29
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="hed23409-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Metformin use has been linked to improved cancer outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of metformin on the survival of patients with laryngeal cancer.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23409-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We retrospectively reviewed 205 patients with a diagnosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23409-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Patients taking metformin presented with more early‐stage tumors (T1 and T2) and less regional metastasis (N0; 81% metformin+ vs 50% metformin‐) compared to patients with diabetes not taking metformin. At last follow‐up, 76% of patients taking metformin were alive, compared to 41% for diabetics not on metformin and 51% for nondiabetics. Metformin users demonstrated increased disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with nonmetformin users and nondiabetics.</p> </sec> <sec id="hed23409-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Patients with diabetes taking metformin present with earlier stage disease and have more favorable clinical outcomes when compared to their diabetic counterparts and nondiabetics. Combined with previously published retrospective studies, our results suggest that prospective clinical trials evaluating the role of metformin in head and neck cancer are warranted. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. <italic>Head Neck</italic> 36: 1039–1043, 2014</p> </sec> </abstract>