Diabetes Drug May Prevent Lung Cancer
Reported April 23, 2010
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — More people die from lung cancer than any other cancer. In 2006, lung cancer killed more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer combined. New research shows a drug commonly used to treat diabetes may soon help prevent lung cancer in smokers.
Metformin is FDA-approved and has been used to treat type 2 diabetes for years. The drug reduces levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and circulating insulin, which is important in treating diabetes patients. If clinical trials are right, the drug may inhibit tumor growth as well.
In a new study, mice were treated with metformin following exposure to a common carcinogen in tobacco and a major contributor to lung tumors. The metformin was well-tolerated by the mice and was able to decrease tumor burden by 40 to 50 percent when given orally. When metformin was given to mice by injection, tumor burden reduced by 72 percent.
Researchers believe similar results are possible in humans.
Source: American Association for Cancer Researchs 101st Annual Meeting, April 19, 2010
