I just watched Dr. Oz and a study showed that taking a tbs(?) of vinegar before meals lowered blood sugar by 30%. I only caught it out of the corner of my eye so I am unclear of the exact amt to be taken. Check out the Dr Oz website and see what they say about vinegar...a more natural way to reduce blood sugars.

Here is some information about the phase III trial.  I'm sorry it is spaced out like this.  I don't know how to correct that.  G. 

METFORMIN

Name of the Trial
Phase III Trial of Metformin versus Placebo in Early-Stage Breast Cancer (CAN-NCIC-MA.32). See the protocol summary.

“We think metformin may act against breast cancer through insulin-mediated or insulin-independent mechanisms of action, or both,” said Dr. Goodwin. “First, it may lower insulin levels, thereby reducing signaling through the PI3K [signaling] pathway, which is a growth/proliferation pathway in breast cancer cells. Secondly, independent of insulin, metformin alters metabolism in the mitochondria and turns on the [enzyme] AMP kinase, which then inhibits mTOR, a protein that helps regulate cell division and survival,” she explained.

“So, metformin is biologically a very interesting drug, and because it’s been used so widely, its side effects are well known,” Dr. Goodwin added. “In general, it’s a very safe and well-tolerated drug if you avoid its use in patients older than 80 and those with abnormal liver, kidney, or cardiac functions. The most common side effects are mild bloating and diarrhea that usually go away on their own after a few months, but we are starting off at half the dose of metformin for the first 4 weeks to help participants adjust.”

Hi All,

MO just called and was suprised that there are 12 clinicial trials going on at this time on Metformin. I did not know there were that many.

MO said that there are not any in the USA with locations on the east coast.

I will need to check this out- anyone know anything different since I am east coast.

thanks

Chocolate

Just got back from an appt with onc. and I asked about metformin.  She was not on board and didn't really have much to say about it, it seemed like she was unaware of any bc connection.  I couldn't make sense of what she said other than there are several drugs being tested.  I am going to ask my PCM next, I agree a GP prescripts it more and is probably more up on things.  My other onc kept prescripting PPI's for my GERD which didn't even exist, after one trip to my PCM I was tested for h. pylori and now that's gone. 

Hello,

Just got back from seeing my MO and she brought up the subject and asked if I wanted to participate in the Phase III Trial for Metformin.   She gave me all the paperwork and told me to do my own research and come back with questions if I am interested.  She thinks it will be only be positive for me to participate (although it is a double blind study, so don't know if I will actually be taking it or not).  The cancer center I go to is looking at enrolling ~3600 patients.

If anyone knows of any additional information about this trial, please post the links.  Thank you. 

There is more good info re Metformin in the thread titled "Metformin; Is Anyone On This Trial?" on the Clinical Trial, Research... forum.  There is discussion about studies, docs' reactions, ordering online and includes a link to a British Co. online source. Not sure if it is the same company referenced by Bev. The thread was active back in February if you want to pull it up.

one more  question- if you start the trial would if show in your blood work - like reduced insulin?

this is not my area of expertise. Also, do  trial participants  who don't get the real thing- get some benefit?

thanks

I really need some chcolate 

Ilovechocolate - Hmmm interesting question about the blood work.  If I get the placebo, the benefit is that I am being monitored for years (in addition to regular checkups), even after the trial ends.

Octobergrace - Thank you. 

Ladies....can someone explain the benefit of taking Metformin?  I haven't heard much of this drug.  I am just finishing the trial study of Zometa and I am wondering if I should be pushing for this drug now.

Metformin Is an AMP Kinase-Dependent Growth Inhibitor for Breast Cancer CellsMahvash Zakikhani1,                      Ryan Dowling2,                      I. George Fantus3,                      Nahum Sonenberg2, and                      Michael Pollak1+ Author AffiliationsDepartments of ¹Oncology and ²Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and ³Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada                        Requests for reprints:
Michael Pollak, Cancer Prevention Center, Jewish General Hospital, E-763, 3755 Cote Ste. Catherine Montreal, Quebec, Canada                        H3T 1E2. Phone: 514-340-8222, ext. 4139; Fax: 514-340-8600; E-mail: Michael.pollak@mcgill.ca.                     AbstractRecent population studies provide clues that the use of metformin may be associated with reduced incidence and improved prognosis                     of certain cancers. This drug is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, where it is often referred to as an "insulin                     sensitizer" because it not only lowers blood glucose but also reduces the hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance.                     As insulin and insulin-like growth factors stimulate proliferation of many normal and transformed cell types, agents that                     facilitate signaling through these receptors would be expected to enhance proliferation. We show here that metformin acts                     as a growth inhibitor rather than an insulin sensitizer for epithelial cells. Breast cancer cells can be protected against                     metformin-induced growth inhibition by small interfering RNA against AMP kinase. This shows that AMP kinase pathway activation                     by metformin, recently shown to be necessary for metformin inhibition of gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes, is also involved                     in metformin-induced growth inhibition of epithelial cells. The growth inhibition was associated with decreased mammalian                     target of rapamycin and S6 kinase activation and a general decrease in mRNA translation. These results provide evidence for                     a mechanism that may contribute to the antineoplastic effects of metformin suggested by recent population studies and justify                     further work to explore potential roles for activators of AMP kinase in cancer prevention and treatment. (Cancer Res 2006;                     66(21): 10269-73

Energy Balance, Host-Related Factors, and Cancer ProgressionStephen D. Hursting and                      Nathan A. Berger+ Author AffiliationsFrom The University of Texas, Austin; University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX; and Case Comprehensive                           Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.                        Corresponding author: Stephen D. Hursting, PhD, The University of Texas, 1 University Station A2700, Painter Hall, Room 5.32,                        Austin, TX 78712; e-mail: shursting@austin.utexas.edu.                     AbstractObesity is associated with an increased risk and worsened prognosis for many types of cancer, but the mechanisms underlying                     the obesity-cancer progression link are poorly understood. Several energy balance-related host factors are known to influence                     tumor progression and/or treatment responsiveness after cancer develops, and these have been implicated as key contributors                     to the complex effects of obesity on cancer outcome. These host factors include leptin, adiponectin, steroid hormones, reactive                     oxygen species associated with inflammation, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and sirtuins. Each of these host factors                     is considered in this article in the context of energy balance and cancer progression. In addition, future research directions                     in this field are discussed, including the importance of study designs addressing energy balance across the life course, the                     development and application of highly relevant animal models, potential roles of cancer stem cells in the response to energy                     balance modulation, and emerging pharmacologic approaches that target energy balance-related pathways.                 

VR,

thank you for providing this information and explanation!!

Chocolate

I talked to a nurse today who is in charge of a diabetic clinic and she said that we shouldn't be taking Metformin unless we are in the three or four studies that are ongoing presently.  Her concern was that in some cases kidneys and livers can be damaged - especially because many of us have been on chemo - people in the studies are having their blood monitored closely and someone is checking things like creatinine levels - she also said that it is "foolish" to be ordering any drug online that doesn't have a prescription - I agree with her.

I'm on zometa, so still getting liver and kidney functon tested every 6 months.  I don't think there has been much change with either, but even if there was, we wouldn't know if it was from the zometa or the metformin or combo of both.  I agree that if you were to order this online without a prescription, you would probably want to get these levels checked periodically.  My guess is that you could ask your pcp to test these--use the excuse that you just want to make sure chemo hasn't given you liver and kidney problems!  I think the tests are pretty routine and inexpensive, so I don't think you would be told no.