Post-hoc but important: Metformin's Potential in Reducing Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

[Maxone73]

I would not do it for OS, but the other parameters are quite interesting...

Hormone therapy is a highly effective treatment for prostate cancer; however, it is known to cause metabolic side effects like weight gain and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of other health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The STAMPEDE trial, with nearly 12,000 participants, is the world’s largest interventional prostate cancer trial. This study involved 1,874 men with metastatic prostate cancer who did not have diabetes. The men were divided into two groups, with one group receiving standard treatment and the other receiving standard treatment plus metformin.

The results showed that:

● After two years, men who took metformin gained only half as much weight (2kg) compared to those who received standard treatment alone.

● The metformin group also had lower blood sugar levels and lower levels of harmful circulating fats, including cholesterol.

● There were significantly fewer reports of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health problems that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, in the metformin group.

● Individuals taking metformin had a 10% lower risk of dying and lived for around six months longer than those receiving standard treatment only. This effect was particularly notable in men with more advanced forms of prostate cancer.

Professor Noel Clarke, a consultant urologist and one of the principal investigators of the trial, believes that this new indication for metformin will soon be available on the NHS, allowing more patients to benefit.

While these findings are preliminary and require further research to confirm their implications, they offer hope for men with advanced prostate cancer. Metformin’s potential to reduce the side effects of hormone therapy and potentially improve survival rates could significantly improve the lives of countless men battling this disease.

prostatewarriors.com/2024/1...

[Broccoli24]

Thanks Max, that’s pretty exciting. Was talking about it with my pharmacist only today. 6 months better OS looks good to me, along with lower blood sugar.

[GardenReno]

I would agree with this. Been on ADt for over 3 years and also Metformin for same period. No extra weight gain and all insulin markers etc good. I’m not diabetic but was prescribed as part of care oncology protocol at the time.

[dhccpa in reply to GardenReno]

Did you use Care Oncology Clinic?

[GardenReno in reply to dhccpa]

Yes initially after diagnosis. They started me on metformin, artovastatin, membendazole and doxycycline. I’ve since stopped doxycycline to ensure better gut health but still take the others. I now take berberine as well as metformin as well.

[fast_eddie]

I've known for a while that metformin can be helpful in the battle with prostate cancer. I asked my PCP at the time for a metformin prescription and he refused. I also asked for a refill of a lorazepam prescription for occasional insomnia and he refused that too. He left the practice to go elsewhere and wanted me to tag along. No thanks. I made the same requests of my new female PCP and she had no problem with them. I am also pre-diabetic/borderline diabetic so another reason to prescribe metformin. This made me realize what a dick that first doctor was. He didn't want a patient to tell him what to do, I guess.

[Maxone73 in reply to fast_eddie]

They hate it usually...I was ready to kill after my extensive research, because I wanted the ARASENS protocol (I did not know it was not yet approved in Italy at the time), I was almost disappointed when, after he let me explain why I wanted it and so on, my MO said "Good, because it's exactly what I wanted to put you on" 🤣🤣🤣 but he is one in a million

[GreenStreet]

Thanks Max very helpful. When I go on ADT I will push for it