"Further study is needed in other study populations to confirm or refute a possible role of antidiabetic therapy in pancreatic cancer. Since pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal, but a relatively uncommon cancer, epidemiological research on this disease is challenging," Dr. Li added. "If the finding that metformin is protective against pancreatic cancer is confirmed, metformin may offer a tool for the primary prevention of pancreatic cancer among people with type II diabetes."

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the U.S. The association of type II diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer is complex. On one hand, type II diabetes can occur as a consequence of pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, there is accumulating evidence to strongly support a significant role of type II diabetes in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

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