Metformin For Cancers Of The Womb And Lung

Extra glucose does not necessarily cause endometrial cells to become cancer, but once they have developed cancer cell characteristics, it fuels their growth, proliferation, and escape to other tissues. More than almost any other kind of cancer, endometrial cancer is extremely sensitive to blood sugar levels. Women who are obese are at much high risk of endometrial cancer, not because being overweight causes cancer, but because the insulin resistance that raises blood sugar levels also locks fatty acids inside fat cells so that they cannot be released to be burned during exercise.

The progression of endometrial cancer is governed by several mechanisms, including the previously mentioned mTOR pathway. By blocking this route for protein synthesis, metformin helps reduce the production of proteins in individual cancer cells, reduces the reproduction of those cancer cells to form tumors, and helps keeps any tumors that form anchored in place so that they do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer researchers are not using metformin as the only treatment for uterine cancer. Metformin is prescribed as an add-on treatment to another mTOR blocker, a drug called everolimus, in addition to estrogen blockers such as letrozole. Adding metformin to the mix allows other cancer drugs to be used in lower doses, with fewer side effects, and in early test results extends life in advanced uterine cancer. In the near future, metformin will be tested as a treatment for the early stages of uterine cancer.

Metformin For Lung Cancer

Metformin is being used in a different way for treating inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small lung cancers carry a dismal prognosis, especially when they occur in locations in which their removal would compromise lung function. Just about the only treatment for this kind of lung cancer is radiation.

Metformin does not have a direct effect on the cancer itself, but it makes lung cells more susceptible to radiation. Giving metformin may make treatment possible with lower doses of radiation that cause fewer side effects, extending life with greater comfort. 

Reducing the Side Effects of Cis-Platin

Metformin is also used in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer to reduce the side effects of cis-platin, the chemotherapy drug also known as Platinol. One of the more troubling problems in Platinol treatment is the stinging, burning, numbness, and increased risk of infection caused by peripheral neuropathy, damage to nerves caused by the drug. Metformin reduces the symptoms of neuropathy, helping to preserve the ability to walk and to use the hands without pain. This application is still considered investigational, but if you are receiving cis-platin from lung cancer it won't hurt to ask your physician if metformin would help you.

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Is there any downside to using metformin?

Metformin 850's sometimes cause stomach upset and runny bowel movements, but this is not a common problem with the smaller metformin 500's. In very, very rare instances use of metformin can trigger a condition called lactic acidosis, but this is primarily a problem in patients who are experiencing renal failure. Simple blood tests can confirm that the kidneys are healthy enough for use of the drug.

The good things about metformin are that it is extraordinarily safe, and extraordinarily inexpensive. Look for it to become more and more common in cancer treatment.