The impact of metformin and statin use on risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Topic of the dissertation
The impact of metformin and statin use on risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine, M.D. Sami Erkinantti
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Professor Matti Eskelinen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Peeter Karihtala, University of Helsinki
The impact of metformin and statin use on risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The use of both metformin and statins has been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer and better prognosis in some previous studies. This is also supported by findings from cellular research. Metformin and statins are widely used, long-standing, inexpensive, and safe medications, and thus could offer a valuable addition to the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer.
The results of earlier registry-based studies have been quite promising, but some have been criticized for inadequate research methodology. In more rigorously designed studies, the results have been more modest, or no association has been observed at all.
We investigated this association using a large, high-quality Finnish registry dataset compiled from several sources. We also aimed to design the research methods to minimize the risk of erroneous results.
Colorectal cancers are divided into colon and rectal cancer. For colon cancer, both pre- and post-diagnostic use of the aforementioned medications appeared to be associated with lower cancer-specific mortality. For rectal cancer, both pre- and post-diagnostic statin use was associated with lower cancer-specific mortality, as was post-diagnostic metformin use. We did not observe an association between the risk of developing colon cancer and the use of either medication.
The results of earlier registry-based studies have been quite promising, but some have been criticized for inadequate research methodology. In more rigorously designed studies, the results have been more modest, or no association has been observed at all.
We investigated this association using a large, high-quality Finnish registry dataset compiled from several sources. We also aimed to design the research methods to minimize the risk of erroneous results.
Colorectal cancers are divided into colon and rectal cancer. For colon cancer, both pre- and post-diagnostic use of the aforementioned medications appeared to be associated with lower cancer-specific mortality. For rectal cancer, both pre- and post-diagnostic statin use was associated with lower cancer-specific mortality, as was post-diagnostic metformin use. We did not observe an association between the risk of developing colon cancer and the use of either medication.
Created 12.9.2025 | Updated 12.9.2025