Survival Benefit for Metformin Through Better Tumor Response by Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer

This study aimed to compare tumor responses and prognoses of metformin and nonmetformin groups of diabetic patients receiving neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. SETTING: This study was conducted at a single institution in the Republic of Korea. PATIENTS: Between January 2000 and November 2017, 104 patients with rectal cancer who were taking diabetes medication and treated with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery were reviewed. Patients were divided into those taking (n = 62) and not taking metformin (n = 42). Tumor responses, survival, and other outcomes were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor response, rectal cancer-specific survival, and disease-free survival rates were measured. RESULTS: Tumor regression grade (p = 0.002), pathological complete response (p = 0.037), and N downstaging (p
Source: Diseases of the Colon and Rectum - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Contributions: Colorectal Cancer Source Type: research