Metformin and early stage cll

[Research123]

Hi I just got diagnosed with cll and am at watch and wait stage - white blood count just come down from 40000 to 26000. Anyone any idea if metformin is helpful at this stage as a Dr friend mentioned it but as I'm in the UK the NHS (state) doctors don't believe in more unusual ways forward. Thank you!

[GMa27]

It's for diabetes. Can't imagine it being used for CLL. No doctor's have ever recommended to me.

[Justasheet1]

I heard that it might have an anticancer effect last year. I think it didn’t live up to the hype as those stories so often don’t.

Jeff

[Newdawn Administrator]

This hypothesis has been gaining interest for many years and I know at least one CLL patient on here (a scientific researcher with knowledge of this) who takes Metformin despite not having diabetes.

‘Moreover, new epidemiological and preclinical studies indicate metformin as a therapeutic agent in patients with leukemia, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma.’

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/302...

Interesting for anyone who wishes to delve further.

This relates to the possible impact of metformin on cancer generally though not blood cancers specifically.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Doctors here in the UK do not use metformin as a cancer cure but there is clearly research to be done and possibilities to be explored in my opinion (as a diabetic CLL’er who doesn’t actually take metformin). It’s a drug that isn’t always well tolerated and can cause pretty bad gastric issues. Hence it’s nickname of ‘metfartin’ in the diabetic community! 🥴

The important thing is to take metformin for glycemic control if it’s required because uncontrolled diabetes and CLL make bad bedfellows!

Newdawn

[blowinginthewind in reply to Newdawn]

There are new preparations of metformin now without the side effects - I take it myself for diabetes. It is also prescribed for polycystic ovaries I believe. I am on my way out now, but will get the info leaflet out of my box and see what else it says, but won't be til this afternoon.

[Research123 in reply to blowinginthewind]

thank you!

[RomildaG]

Just an interesting tidbit! I read an article written that says metaformin is also being tested because doctors found that it could slow down (or prevent) alzheimers at beginning stages. I am curious as to why this is such a ‘wonder’ drug

[Ladylin151 in reply to RomildaG]

The reason metformin may be helpful in Alzheimer's is the same reason some people call Alzheimer's "type 3 diabetes". It is believed that our brain cells can become insulin resistant and not be able to properly use glucose. Metformin does not directly lower your blood sugar but acts in the liver to prevent excess glucose from being released. Some theories say that the liver changes are even more important than the blood glucose effects and there is some research on Metformin increasing longevity. Metformin often causes gastrointestinal issues but the extended release form seems to be better tolerated for most people and avoidance of carbs also lessens side effects. If you are taking a drug to lower glucose in your body, it seems carbohydrate avoidance would be sensible.

[CLLmoxie in reply to Ladylin151]

Altzheimers is also called type 3 diabetes because it as is type 2 diabetes (and many other chronic diseases) are thought now to be caused by the poor nutrition of the Western diet. Both have shown to be reversed with low carb, high protein, low glycemic, no processed foods plant based diet.

[PSP52]

Hi

I responded to a post by another CLL member of the group a few months back. I have type II diabetes and take metformin. I continuously monitor my glucose level daily with a meter and record the reading. My CLL was discovered because as a diabetic I get quarterly blood tests to find out what my Hemoglobin A1C is which is a indicator of how well you diabetes is doing. It was through these quarterly tests that we noticed a gradual rise in my white count and through further testing determined that I have CLL.

Metformin is for those of us who have type II diabetes. I take the time released version. Taking Metformin does make your glucose levels go down. I wonder how a person who does not have diabetes would be affected by this drug. On occasion I have experienced low blood sugar and need to take something to stave off the effects which can be fainting and rapid heartbeats. I don't think this drug would really be good for those who do not have diabetes because of the side effects.

[Keepkicking]

I was prescribed metformin by a naturopath to fight CLL through metabolic channels (500 mg once a day). I haven't actually taken it yet though. He wanted to use it in conjunction with DCA infusions and a low carb diet.

[Emjay7]

Emjay

The univ of michigan have done research on the use of metformin 500mg with success that even the Leukemia society have suggested it is promising.Google metformin for cll to see info

When I mentioned it to my oncologist he looked at me and did not want to discuss

[Splash24]

I don't know if it is helpful or not, but I would not be a bit surprised (given how it works and what it does) if it is proven to be of benefit with a cancer like CLL.

[t2aa]

I started taking Metformin about 6 months after being diagnosed with CLL for pre-diabetes.

As far as I can tell my blood sugar started rising after the CLL started and really went up about 8 months ago when I started having symptoms such as fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, and higher WBC. Metformin did little to stop those symptoms or the rise in blood sugar.

With diet and exercise, I am finally getting the blood sugar under control.

I started treatment with Venetoclax and Rituximab and now the CLL symptoms are better.

It is possible that it all could have been worse without the Metformin, but considering I have “good markers” and I started having severe symptoms so soon, I can’t say it really helped the CLL at all.

[HailMary-USA]

Here is a link to an earlier post which also mentions Metformin.

It is one of 4 drugs being prescribed as a combination protocol for CLL and other cancers, under a "patient-funded trial" by Care Oncology Clinic:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

I only know what I have learned here and have read on their website, and it seems like the kind of information you are researching.

Best wishes to you from Mary

[Hidden]

Hey, UK Research 123, my use of Metformin resulted from use of Prednisone, which was prescribed by my Oncologist. Prednisone raised my blood sugar so high that my A1C went from 5.5 to 8.9. That's way over the high normal of 7.00. The Metformin helped me to get my blood sugar back to sm acceptable level of 6.9. I am due for another blood test and I am hoping that my blood sugar and A1C levels have lowered and are stable enough to allow me to discontinue the use of Metformin. I have been off of Prednisone for about 6 mos and do not miss it in the slightest.

By the way, the best thing that happened to me was my Oncologist prescribing the injection of Rutuxin (Rutuximab), which was the only chemo treatment I've had. Rutuxin was the right thing for me.

When I was first diagnosed with CLL in November, 2017, my Hemoglobin (HGB) was around 7 (normal for men is 12-18). Three mos ago my HGB was determined as having stabilized long enough at 13-14, for my Oncologist to pronounce that my form of cancer was in remission. This past week my latest blood test showed my HGB was a solid 14.

I will have another blood test again in 3 mos but don't see my Oncologist until mid-March, 2020.