Evidence mapPaperPMID 41760031Full record

ReviewMedicine2026

Relationship between breast cancer and metformin: A bibliometric review.

Zhaoning Wang, Fangrui Zhao, Linlin Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Zhaoning WangShandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Fangrui Zhao

Funding

Clinical Research Special Fund of Wu Jieping Medical Foundation 320.6750.2021-02-51National Key Technologies Research and Development Program 2022YFC2404605Post-Marketing Clinical Research Special Project on Innovative Drugs WKZX2023Cx020012
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA complex relationship exists between diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer. Metformin can help reduce the incidence of cancer and the risk of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This study utilized bibliometrics to analyze the potential impact of diabetes drugs on the treatment of breast cancer, aiming to reveal research trends and provide references for future research directions.

methodsThis bibliometric study analyzed the intersection of diabetes, breast cancer, and metformin using data from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed (2004-2024). A total of 1080 relevant publications were included.

resultsAn initial slow growth in publications was noted, followed by a surge starting in 2008. The USA and China led these research efforts, with Goodwin PJ having the highest number of publications. The journal Diabetes Care was the most co-cited, with keywords such as "breast cancer," "risk," "metformin," and "growth" frequently appearing. The analysis identified 4036 institutions and 5214 active authors in the field.

conclusionsDespite growing attention to the role of diabetes medications such as metformin in breast cancer treatment, research remains limited to mechanistic studies and retrospective clinical analyses. The optimal dose for clinical use remains unclear, which highlights the need for further experimental studies. This study provides valuable insights for both academic and clinical research, supporting the potential use of metformin to manage the relationship between diabetes and breast cancer.

Indexed as

BibliometricsBreast NeoplasmsDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Hypoglycemic AgentsMetforminFemaleHumansHypoglycemic AgentsMetforminbibliometric analysisbreast cancerdiabetes mellitusmetformin

Identifiers

PMID41760031
PMCPMC12956224

What Socratic holds

Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.