Metformin found helpful in treatment of lung cancer

Metformin

Carol Forsloff - While there are side effects from certain drugs, research has also found side benefits as well, as in the case of Metformin which has recently been found to prevent tobacco-induced lung tumors. New research undertaken by the National Cancer Institute was published in the September issue of Cancer Prevention Research in 2010.

This finding substantiates the notion that a medication used for one condition is often found useful for another.

There are many findings that indicate, for example, that aspirin has uses for more than just pain but can be a preventative against heart disease and stroke.

Now the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research has published findings that a common drug, used in the treatment of metformin, is also a  prevention and treatment for lung cancer.  

“Although smoking cessation is the most important step for current smokers, over half of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in former smokers,raising the importance of identifying those at highest risk and
identifying effective preventive treatments,” said Philip Dennis, M.D.,who works with the Cancer Research group.  He said this following clinical trials with mice using metformin on tobacco carcinogen-induced tumors.

Research found a 40 to 50% reduction in tumors with oral medication and 70% with injections, leading experts to consider administration of the drug to prevent and treat those with lung cancer.

While the news of the metformin benefit is not new, it is nevertheless one of those pieces of information that one does not often see on the front page of anything.  The side benefits of certain common medications can be helpful to a population looking for answers to complex health conditions.  At the same time the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the past several years has been considerable, and many people may have a dual diagnosis where they find the special use for metformin an advantage, as in the treatment for cancer, found in the study discussed here.

Metformin is the initial drug of choice in the treatment of diabetes.  Most people initially fare well with it.  On the other hand, just like other medications, there are side effects of the drug as well.

Nausea, weakness and a metallic taste in the mouth are some of the more common side effects.  Others can be found listed on the WebMd site.