ARTICLE The influence of glucose-lowering therapies on cancer risk

Aims/hypothesis The risk of developing a range of solid tumours is increased in type 2 diabetes, and may be influenced by glucose-lowering therapies. We examined the risk of development of solid tumours in relation to treatment with oral agents, human insulin and insulin analogues. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of people treated in UK general practices. Those included in the analysis developed diabetes>40 years of age, and started treatment with oral agents or insulin after 2000. A total of 62,809 patients were divided into four groups according to whether they received monotherapy with metformin or sulfonylurea, combined therapy (metformin plus sulfonyl-urea), or insulin. Insulin users were grouped according t