Mária Rašiová, Miriam Kozárová
Epidemiological studies have documented not only a link between the type 2 diabetes mellitus and an increased risk of certain cancers, but also an influence of diabetes treatment on a cancer risk. Metformin shows some antineoplastic properties, while the treatment with sulphonylurea derivatives and insulin increases the risk of cancer. The newer preparation such as pioglitazone is monitored because of its effect on the incidence of bladder cancer; other incretin-based drugs are monitored because of their effect on thyroid and pancreatic cancer. The mechanism of antineoplastic action of metformin is not fully elucidated, slightly higher incidence of tumours in patients treated with sulphonylurea derivatives and insulin may be influenced by hyperinsulinaemia. Patients are often treated with antidiabetic agents in a combination with other medication, so the accurate determination of the drug effect on the malignancy risk is difficult. In terms of carcinogenesis, many drugs are used relatively shortly and data for the statistical analysis obtained from databases are insufficient.