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Metformin for the Prevention of Bladder Cancer Recurrence: Is it Effective?
Fatemeh Heidari1, Shahin Abbas Zade1, Seyed Hassan Mir Hosseini1
1Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Background:
Many methods have been used for preventing and reducing recurrences of bladder cancers. In recent years, some investigators have examined the use of metformin for this purpose. First lines of evidence have shown that metformin inhibits cancer cell growth and prevents cancer occurrence in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Objectives:
This study is designed to assess metformin usage in the prevention of bladder cancer recurrence after the trans-urethral resection of a bladder tumor (TUR-T).
Patients And Methods:
In the present study, metformin was administered in the treatment of 32 patients with a history of bladder cancer, and their results were compared with those of 33 patients with bladder cancer recurrence (placebo group). Patients in the metformin group received 1000 mg metformin (2 tablets 500 mg) for 1 year. Frequency of tumor recurrence was calculated and compared with the placebo group.
Results:
There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with respect to the recurrence rate (P > 0.05). Although the recurrence interval was longer for the metformin group, this increase was not statistical significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, tumor recurrence had no correlation with sex or the grade of the tumors.
Conclusions:
According to our findings, it seems that metformin has no considerable inhibitory effect on the recurrence rate of bladder cancer, but that it can delay tumor recurrence.
Insights
Metformin did not significantly reduce bladder cancer recurrence rates after trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-T). However, metformin may delay the time to tumor recurrence in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Urology
Background:
- Bladder cancer recurrence is a significant clinical challenge.
- Metformin, a diabetes drug, shows potential in inhibiting cancer cell growth.
- Previous research suggests metformin may prevent cancer occurrence in diabetic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of metformin in preventing bladder cancer recurrence post-trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-T).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 32 patients receiving 1000 mg of metformin daily for one year.
- Comparison with a control group of 33 patients who received a placebo.
- Analysis of tumor recurrence frequency and interval between groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in recurrence rates between the metformin and placebo groups (P > 0.05).
- A trend towards a longer recurrence interval in the metformin group, though not statistically significant (P > 0.05).
- No correlation found between tumor recurrence and patient sex or tumor grade.
Conclusions:
- Metformin does not appear to have a substantial inhibitory effect on bladder cancer recurrence rates.
- Metformin may potentially delay the onset of tumor recurrence after TUR-T.
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