Chemoprevention of Gastric Cancer: Metformin

Metformin is a first-line anti-diabetic drug that has been widely used in patients with type 2 diabetes. Many population-based epidemiologic studies have shown that metformin treatment is associated with decreased risk for various cancers. Recent epidemiologic studies showed that the use of metformi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research
Main Authors: Young-Il Kim, Soo-Jeong Cho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2017-12-01
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Online Access:http://www.helicojournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.7704/kjhugr.2017.17.4.179
Description
Summary:Metformin is a first-line anti-diabetic drug that has been widely used in patients with type 2 diabetes. Many population-based epidemiologic studies have shown that metformin treatment is associated with decreased risk for various cancers. Recent epidemiologic studies showed that the use of metformin was associated with a reduction in gastric cancer risk, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes who used metformin for long periods of time (>2∼3 years). Currently, there are no registered clinical trials investigating the anti-cancer effect of metformin in gastric cancer; hence, further well-designed clinical trials are required. Herein, we review the literature regarding the use of metformin for the prevention of gastric cancer.
ISSN:1738-3331