Background Abnormalities of glucose metabolism and hyperinsulinemia which appeared in diabetic patients can lead to an increased risk in the development and prognosis of certain cancers. Metformin is a first-line therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been associated with a reduced risk of various cancer cells.

Methods We conducted an observational study using cross-sectional design with inclusion of 32 people in  Pasar Minggu and Cimanggis Primary Health Center, Depok Hospital, and volunteers patient in Tangerang district using total sampling technique. Anti-p53 antibody was measured using ELISA kit for anti-p53 test, whereas HbA1c was measured in an accredited clinical lab by ion exchange HPLC method.

Results The average of anti-p53 antibody were 0.17 ± 0.07  in metformin/combination group and 0.25 ± 0.12 in non-metformin group. However, there was no statistical significant difference between the group of metformin/combination and non-metformin (p = 0.970). On the other hand, there was a strongly negative correlation between HbA1c values and anti-p53 antibody ​​in group of non-metformin (r = -0.709; p = 0.003) but none in the metformin/combination group (r = -0.056; p = 0.830).

Conclusion Anti-p53 antibody level lower but not significant in metformin/combination group compared to non-metformin group in this study. However, anti-p53 antibody revealed a strong and significant negative correlation with HbA1c in the group of non-metformin but not in metformin/combination group.