Type 2 diabetes, oxidative stress and cancer

Research group information

Contact information

Research group leader

  • MD, PhD
    Elina Urpilainen

Research group description

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk of some cancer types, possible together with worse prognosis. Various types of antidiabetic medication have been reported to have different relationships to cancer prognosis. Metformin seems to reduce mortality in some forms of cancer and it has effects on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro.

Our team

Where are we headed

The aim of our epidemiological study is to find out whether antidiabetic medication, statin or postmenopausal hormone therapy use are associated with reduced incidence and mortality in cancers. The aim of our translational study is to clarify the pathogenesis of gynecological and colorectal cancers as well as the role of oxidative stress in these cancers.

How to find us

elina.urpilainen[at]oulu.fi