Abstract
AimThe role of insulin glargine as a risk factor for cancer is controversial in human studies. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between insulin glargine and cancer incidence.MethodsAll observational studies and randomized controlled trials evaluating the relationship of insulin glargine and cancer risk were identified in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the Chinese Biomedical Medical Literature Database, through March 2012. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated with a random-effects model. Confidence in the estimates of the obtained effects (quality of evidence) was assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.ResultsA total of 11 studies including 448,928 study subjects and 19,128 cancer patients were finally identified for the meta-analysis. Insulin glargine use was associated with a lower odds of cancer compared with non-glargine insulin use (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98, P = 0.03; very low-quality evidence). Glargine did not increase the odds of breast cancer (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.46, P = 0.966; very low-quality evidence). Compared with non-glargine insulin, no significant association was found between insulin glargine and prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and respiratory tract cancer. Insulin glargine use was associated with lower odds of other site-specific cancer. Conclusions Results from the meta-analysis don't support the link between insulin glargine and an increased risk of cancer and the confidence in the estimates of the effects is very low. Further studies are needed to examine the relation between insulin glargine and cancer risk, especially breast cancer.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus has become a significant health care problem throughout the world
A pooled estimate of the 10 studies indicated that insulin glargine users had a significantly lower rate of overall cancer in comparison with non-glargine insulin users
The similar result was observed for insulin glargine users versus human insulin users
Summary
From a survey of the International Diabetes Federation, there are 366 million people with diabetes in 2011, and the total number is expected to rise to 552 million by 2030 [1]. Diabetes is a progressive disorder and associated with serious complications and increased mortality. The most important goal in the treatment of patients with diabetes is to lower the risk of diabetic complications. Glucose-lowering therapy is the first step to prevent diabetic complications and reduce mortality. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin therapy in the beginning. For patients with type 2 diabetes, most patients are initially treated with oral hypoglyceimic agents, but every available oral hypoglycaemic agent has limited glucose-lowering efficacy because of the progressive loss of pancreatic beta-cell function and decreased insulin sensitivity. Half of patients eventually require insulin therapy to achieve the ideal glycemic control targets
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
