While researchers have recently revealed Metformin’s colon cancer prevention properties, it is not actually a new drug on the market. In fact, it is the most prescribed drug for diabetes treatment globally. In early May, researchers shared their research at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago. During their presentation, they showed how metformin interacts with colon cancer cells that are typically hard to treat. While their research is still in the early stages, it has indicated that the diabetic medication could offer great promise as a supplement to existing treatments.
Research On Metformin and Colon Cancer Treatment
According to the study’s lead author, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University, Holli Loomans-Kropp, “Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy. We’re opening up some doors to what this could do.” Previous studies had already indicated that patients taking the drug for diabetes exhibited lower rates of colon cancer. This suggested to the researchers that metformin could be offering some type of protection that prevented cancer development.
However, this new study went a step further, examining whether the drug could combat the cancer cells once the disease had already developed. According to their findings, while the drug was not strong enough to combat cancer on its own, it could serve as a helpful supplement to certain existing treatments. So far, metformin has shown exciting promise in potentially treating a type of colon cancer caused by a KRAS gene mutation. This is typically a challenging type of colon cancer to treat, so a breakthrough in treatment would prove very significant. However, more animal trials are still required before clinical trials involving humans can commence.
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Affordable and Easily Accessible
According to the study’s lead author, the biggest benefit of metformin is that it is already easily available everywhere and affordable. “I always like to ask the question: Are there medications or agents that we already know, that are already used, that we have safety/toxicity profiles for, that we can then repurpose for something else?” she added. Metformin has already been extensively studied and proven safe for use by millions of people around he world. Additionally, it only costs a mere 10 to 20 cents per pill! Many health practitioners consider it something of a “wonder drug”. This is not surprising, considering that its known benefits include blood-sugar control, dementia, and heart health.
For diabetic patients, metformin helps because it changes the manner in which the body produces and processes sugar. It has also been shown to have anti-aging benefits. It also encourages the process that enables the body to process damaged old cells, known as autophagy. The research team theorizes that metformin may also inhibit cancer cells in the colon from using the energy they require to develop. According to Loomans-Kropp, “If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit.” Longevity researchers are particularly excited about this energy-shifting mechanism.
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The Bottom Line
While the research is still in its early stages, the results so far are encouraging. The team hopes that if these initial studies’ results prove successful, they can start testing metformin as a treatment for colon cancer on animals within a year. Metformin’s potential as a supplementary treatment for colon cancer adds a new layer of hope. It has already proven to be widely available and affordable, which is incredibly important. It could become a practical tool alongside existing therapies, particularly for tough-to-treat cancers like those with KRAS gene mutations. Although more research is needed, these early findings are promising. They also show that there are benefits to repurposing existing drugs for other diseases.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
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