Metformin Possibly Beneficial in Advanced Prostate Cancer

[dorke]

endocrinologyadvisor.com/ho...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[Tall_Allen]

Here's what the media article brushed over that is vitally important to men on this forum:

• Time to castration resistance was not slowed significantly in men staged M1, especially no effect in those with a high volume of metastases.

• There was no effect on PSA

• There was no effect on survival

So metformin may slow progression among men who may be cured by radical therapy (removing or irradiating the prostate with or without pelvic lymph nodes) anyway. It is possible that with larger sample size and longer follow-up there may be an effect on survival among metastatic men, but the lack of a PSA response suggests that won't happen.

The best evidence so far is that metformin is ineffective for PC in men with advanced prostate cancer. There are several more clinical trials in the works. Meanwhile, risks outweigh potential benefits:

prostatecancer.news/2019/11...

[Ahk1 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am not diabetic so I couldn’t get any dr. To prescribe it for me. I used Berberine instead for more than 4 months or so and it failed to slow down the psa progression. This is just my own personal experience.

[Dastardly in reply to Ahk1]

Very interesting. In June 2019 I joined the Stampede trial which was set up to test the use of Metformin. However, I was not selected to take Metformin and, instead, am part of the control group. Doesn't look like I missed an awful lot.

[addicted2cycling in reply to Ahk1]

Ahk wrote ___ " I am not diabetic so I couldn’t get any dr. To prescribe it for me... "

I am not diabetic either yet the 1st prescribed items by my treating doctor were 850mg Metformin 2x/day plus Avodart(Dutasteride). Began 6 years ago and will continue until told to stop or die, which ever comes first.

[Dont08759]

I am 73 and pre-diabetic. My family physician put me on Metformin 3+ years ago once my G9 biopsy results were reported. Due to radiation and surgery for rectal cancer 30 years prior, it was determined that my PC was inoperable. I have been on Lupron for 11 months my last PSA >0.01 and T>3. So far no detectable Mets…

[EdBar]

I’ve been taking 2000 mg of metformin daily for over 7 years now. I started taking it after reading about its benefits in Snuffy Myers book. I asked my GP to prescribe it after laying out the potential benefits of it, he had no problem with it. I’ve had some excellent MO’s who agreed with me taking it and said that they have used it in their treatment regimen for treating other patients. I haven’t had any notable side effects from it, I’ve been able to maintain a normal BMI despite being on ADT the entire time, it’s free from Publix and I’m still alive so I’ll carry on with taking it, works for me.

Ed

[Blackpatch]

I took metformin( 2 x 1000mg) until recently as part of Care Oncology’s protocol, but had to stop a couple of mo the ago due to vomiting every couple of days. It took almost three years for the vomiting to start, but my liver is fine so i’m Not sure what brought it on.

Interestingly, my Son has been training for a marathon and put me on to some papers that claim metformin reduces mitochondrial capacity of the muscles ie it reduces your VO2 max - this effect seems to be well proven, but perhaps is not a big concern if you need it for diabetes control. However, I have lost muscle mass due to ADT, and perhaps the metformin contributed to this problem.

[cesces]

Other than a few people who get GI problems, its Basically sort of good for all that ails you.

It may have a tangentially positive effect on prostate cancer.

It helps you keep your weight down. And that by itself helps with prostate cancer.

If you are over 50 I can't think of many reasons not to take it.

[cigafred in reply to cesces]

One reason not to take it is that it does not play well with alcohol.

[6357axbz in reply to cigafred]

How so? I’ve had zero issues.

[cigafred in reply to 6357axbz]

First item when I googled:Drinking too much alcohol, especially when taking metformin, can cause a buildup of lactic acid. This buildup can cause serious damage to your kidneys, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. If lactic acidosis is not treated right away, organs may shut down, which can lead to death.

healthline.com/health/diabe....

[6357axbz in reply to cigafred]

Thanks. Guess I should have that tested for next time I have my blood work done.