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Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis

  • Authors:
    • Yu Qiao
    • Huiyao Li
    • Yanping Feng
    • Shuai Liang
    • Dong Hua
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214000, P.R. China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Weifang People's Hospital, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Qiao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 193
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    Published online on: March 26, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15548
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Abstract

Metformin, a primary medication for type 2 diabetes, has garnered interest due to its possible anti‑tumor properties and impacts on the tumor microenvironment. This meta‑analysis evaluated the impact of combining metformin with immunotherapy on overall survival (OS) and progression‑free survival (PFS) in cancer patients. Relevant studies published from January 2015 to December 2024 were searched in databases such as Embase, Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane Library. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 18.0 software. With a total sample size of 5,014 patients, this research included 9 papers. OS and PFS were analyzed as time‑to‑event outcomes, and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. The results indicated that metformin combined with immunotherapy significantly improves OS (HR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.62‑0.97, P=0.027) and PFS (HR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.69‑0.93, P=0.005) in cancer patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that the Asian population benefited more (OS: HR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47‑0.91, P=0.012; PFS: HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.58‑0.82, P<0.001), whereas the non‑Asian group did not demonstrate any significant connection. The results suggest that combining metformin with immunotherapy enhances outcomes, particularly in Asian populations. However, factors such as geographic location, immunotherapy protocols and metformin dosage may influence therapeutic efficacy. Future research should explore subpopulation differences and optimize combination therapy strategies.
View Figures

Figure 1

PRISMA flowchart for the study
selection process.

Figure 2

Effect of metformin on
progression-free survival in cancer patients receiving immune
checkpoint inhibitors. (A) Overall analysis. (B) Subgroup analysis
for Asians. (C) Subgroup analysis for non-Asians. HR, hazard ratio.
DL, DerSimonian and Laird method.

Figure 3

Effect of metformin on overall
survival in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
(A) Overall analysis. (B) Subgroup analysis for Asians. (C)
Subgroup analysis for non-Asians. HR, hazard ratio; DL, DerSimonian
and Laird method.

Figure 4

Funnel plots: Progression-free
survival (A) Overall analysis. (B) Subgroup analysis for Asians.
(C) Subgroup analysis for non-Asians. Overall survival (D) Overall
analysis. (E) Subgroup analysis for Asians. (F) Subgroup analysis
for non-Asians. lnHR, natural logarithm of the hazard ratio; s.e.,
standard error.

Figure 5

Sensitivity analysis:
Progression-free survival (A) Overall analysis. (B) Subgroup
analysis for Asians. (C) Subgroup analysis for non-Asians. Overall
survival (D) Overall analysis. (E) Subgroup analysis for Asians.
(F) Subgroup analysis for non-Asians. CI, confidence interval.
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Qiao Y, Li H, Feng Y, Liang S and Hua D: Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis. Oncol Lett 31: 193, 2026.
APA
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., & Hua, D. (2026). Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis. Oncology Letters, 31, 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15548
MLA
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., Hua, D."Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis". Oncology Letters 31.5 (2026): 193.
Chicago
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., Hua, D."Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis". Oncology Letters 31, no. 5 (2026): 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15548
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Spandidos Publications style
Qiao Y, Li H, Feng Y, Liang S and Hua D: Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis. Oncol Lett 31: 193, 2026.
APA
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., & Hua, D. (2026). Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis. Oncology Letters, 31, 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15548
MLA
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., Hua, D."Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis". Oncology Letters 31.5 (2026): 193.
Chicago
Qiao, Y., Li, H., Feng, Y., Liang, S., Hua, D."Metformin enhances survival with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients: A meta‑analysis". Oncology Letters 31, no. 5 (2026): 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15548
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