# A review on diabetes and oral cancer: Molecular links and implications

**Authors:** Jayaseelan Vijayashree Priyadharsini, Anitha Pandi

PMC · DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2024.51225.2042 · 2025-01-01

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how diabetes increases oral cancer risk through hyperglycemia and inflammation, and how Metformin may help reduce cancer recurrence.

## Contribution

The paper identifies molecular links between diabetes and oral cancer and suggests future research directions.

## Key findings

- Hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation are linked to oral cancer progression in diabetic patients.
- Metformin, a diabetes drug, may reduce oral cancer recurrence.
- Molecular mechanisms and early diagnostic tools need further investigation.

## Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer, with hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation contributing to malignant transformation. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the role of specific genes and biomarkers associated with the process. While hyperglycemia accelerates cancer progression, Metformin, an anti-diabetic medication, is found to reduce the recurrence. Future research should focus on understanding molecular mechanisms, developing early diagnostic tools, and assessing the impact of glycemic control in managing potentially oral malignant lesions in diabetic patients.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Metformin (PubChem CID 4091)
- **Diseases:** diabetes mellitus (MONDO:0005015), oral cancer (MONDO:0023644)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** hyperglycemia (MESH:D006943), cancer (MESH:D009369), oral cancer (MESH:D009062), Diabetes mellitus (MESH:D003920), chronic inflammation (MESH:D007249)
- **Chemicals:** Metformin (MESH:D008687)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11865932