In the race to find a cure for various forms of cancer, researchers have realized one medication may already be in use. A medication currently used to treat Type 2 diabetes may help people with certain kinds of cancer.
How it works
The medication, Metformin, has the ability to inhibit the growth breast cancer cells.
“People with Type-2 diabetes are known to be at high risk for several diabetes-associated cancers, such as breast, liver and pancreatic cancers,” said James Trosko, a professor in the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics and Human Development. “The even better news is that this medication is inexpensive.”
Using cancer cells in culture dishes, the scientists were able to see cells shrink when they were treated with Metformin. Researchers believe various chemicals in the body, along with man made chemicals can contribute to the growth of a cancerous tumor. However, Metfromin seems to have the ability to block that growth.
The next step
Researchers are still unclear why this medication works, so in the future they would like to conduct studies that break down the molecule make up of the cells and the medication. Still, scientists believe their findings could have positive effects on the future treatment of cancer.
“While future studies are needed to understand the exact mechanism by which metformin works to reduce the growth of breast cancers, this study reveals the need to determine if the drug might be used as a preventive drug and for individuals who have no indication of any existing cancers,” he said.
“Though we still do not know the exact molecular mechanism by which it works, metformin seems to dramatically affect how estrogen and endocrine-disrupting chemicals cause the pre-existing breast cancers to grow.”
In addition, further research needs to be done to see if metformin can reduce the risk of pancreatic and liver cancers.
