Diabetes drugs may help control lung cancer: study
An X-ray of a chest showing a growth on the left side of the lung.
Commonly used diabetes drugs such as metformin may help control lung cancer, and may help prevent it, U.S. researchers reported recently. Patients who had taken the drugs to control diabetes were much less likely to have lung cancer spread — which is when it becomes most deadly — the researchers told a meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians. Metformin, an older and cheaper drug available generically, had a more powerful effect than newer drugs called thiazolidinediones, TZDs or glitazones, the researchers said. "Our study, as well as other research, suggests an association between metformin and/or TZD use and the risk of developing lung cancer," said Dr. Peter Mazzone of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, who led the study. "However, unique to this study, we have been able to report less advanced cancer in those who do develop cancer, a decreased frequency of squamous cell and small cell carcinomas, and improved survival, when controlled for stage, in people taking metformin and/or TZDs." "This new information adds to the growing body of evidence that metformin may help prevent and inhibit the progression of lung cancer," Dr. David Gutterman, president of the American College of Chest Physicians said. Metformin is one of the most widely used drugs for type 2 diabetes. In May, researchers reported an inhaled drug called iloprost, approved to treat pulmonary hypertension might also prevent lung cancer. In April, researchers said a natural supplement derived from food, called myo-inositol, seems to stop the precancerous changes that lead to lung cancer. Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer globally, killing 1.2 million people a year. Only 15 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive five years later, in part because the disease usually spreads silently for years before it causes clear enough symptoms to be detected. Early stage lung tumors can often be removed surgically, however.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments