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Review Articles
The Effects of Metformin on Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review
  1. Piyemeth Dilokthornsakul, PharmD*,†,‡,
  2. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk, PharmD, PhD*,†,‡,§,
  3. Wichai Termrungruanglert, MD∥,
  4. Chayanin Pratoomsoot, PhD,
  5. Surasak Saokeaw, PharmD*,# and
  6. Rosarin Sruamsiri, BPharm, MBA*
  1. *Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand;
  2. †School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia;
  3. ‡School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI;
  4. §Discipline of Pharmacy, Monash University, Malaysia;
  5. ∥Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok;
  6. Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok;
  7. #School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand; and
  8. ††Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomic Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Piyemeth Dilokthornsakul, PharmD, Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand 65000. E-mail: piyamethd{at}gmail.com.

Abstract

Objective The potential therapeutic effects of metformin on several cancers were reported. However, the evidence of the effects of metformin on ovarian cancer is still limited and inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aims to summarize the existing evidence of the therapeutic effects of metformin on ovarian cancer.

Methods We performed systematic searches using electronic databases including PubMed and EMBASE until December 2012. Key words included “metformin” AND (“ovarian cancer” OR “ovary tumor”). All human studies assessing the effects of metformin on ovarian cancer were eligible for inclusion. All articles were reviewed independently by 2 authors with a standardized approach for the purpose of study, study design, patient characteristics, exposure, and outcomes. The data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results Of 190 studies retrieved, only 3 observational studies and 1 report of 2 randomized controlled trials were included. Among those studies, 2 reported the effects of metformin on survival outcomes of ovarian cancer, whereas the other 2 reported the effects of metformin on ovarian cancer prevention. The findings of studies reporting the effects on survival outcomes indicated that metformin may prolong overall, disease-specific, and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer patients. The results of studies reporting the effects of metformin on ovarian cancer prevention were meta-analyzed. It indicated that metformin tended to decrease occurrence of ovarian cancer among diabetic patients with the pooled odds ratio of 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.16–1.99).

Conclusions Our findings showed the potential therapeutic effects of metformin on survival outcomes of ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer prevention. However, most of the evidence was observational studies. There is a call for further well-conducted controlled clinical trials to confirm the effects of metformin on ovarian cancer survival and ovarian cancer prevention.

  • Ovarian cancer
  • Metformin
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Systematic review
  • Meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182a80a21

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    Footnotes

    • The authors declare no conflicts of interest.