Evaluation of Diabetic Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Metformin during Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute locoregional toxicity in patients with breast cancer receiving concurrent metformin plus radiation therapy. Methods and Materials. Diabetic breast cancer patients receiving concurrent metformin and radiation therapy were matched with nondiabetic patients and diabetic patients using an alternative diabetes medication. Primary endpoints included the presence of a treatment break and development of dry or moist desquamation. Results. There was a statistically significant increase in treatment breaks for diabetic patients receiving concurrent metformin when compared to the nondiabetic patients (P value = 0.02) and a trend toward significance when compared to diabetic patients receiving an alternate diabetes medication (P value = 0.08). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated concurrent metformin use as being associated with a trend toward the predictive value of determining the incidence of developing desquamation in diabetic patients receiving radiation therapy compared to diabetic patients receiving an alternate diabetes medication (P value = 0.06). Conclusions. Diabetic patients treated with concurrent metformin and radiation therapy developed increased acute locoregional toxicity in comparison with diabetic patients receiving an alternate diabetes medication and nondiabetic patients. Further clinical investigation should be conducted to determine the therapeutic ratio of metformin in combination with radiation therapy.

Figure 1

Desquamation reactions. Met: metformin, RT: radiation therapy. Acute skin toxicity comparing frequency of desquamation in patients receiving concurrent metformin and radiation therapy versus patients receiving an alternate diabetes medication and RT.