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Review
. 2023 Sep 25;12(19):6195.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12196195.

Preventive and Therapeutic Effect of Metformin in Head and Neck Cancer: A Concise Review

Cyril Bouland  1 , Xavier Vanden Eynden  1 , Martin Lalmand  1 , Thibaut Buset  1 , Antoine Yanni  1 , Rokneddine Javadian  1 , Alexandra Rodriguez  2 , Isabelle Loeb  1 , Jérôme R Lechien  2   3 , Fabrice Journe  3   4 , Sven Saussez  2   3 , Didier Dequanter  1
Affiliations
Review

Preventive and Therapeutic Effect of Metformin in Head and Neck Cancer: A Concise Review

Cyril Bouland et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a complex affection. Nowadays, conventional treatments are associated with many side effects, reducing the patient's quality of life. Recent studies suggest that metformin, a first-line treatment for diabetes, could decrease cancer incidence and improve cancer-related survival rates.

Methods: This systematic review summarizes important data from studies evaluating metformin's contribution to preventing and treating HNC.

Results: The results suggest a protective effect of metformin in HNC. However, no consensus has been found on its therapeutic effects. Metformin seems to confer an improved cancer-related survival rate in a diabetic population, but compared to a non-diabetic population, the review could not identify any advantages. Nevertheless, no studies presented a negative impact.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this systematic review suggest that HNC patients may benefit from metformin. Indeed, it would reduce the HNC incidence. However, more studies are required to evaluate the effect on cancer-related survival rates.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; metformin; prevention; systematic review; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Selection process according to PRISMA guidelines.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart of the results.
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