Metformin

Hi MDale,

Longtime survivor here, but with a more conventional diagnosis (multiple recurrences of dx Grade 2 endometrioid type). I have great respect for Takingcontrol58, her journey and her knowledge. She joins several women here who have made it a life mission to develop an expertise in Tx options for this disease. After my 2d recurrence, I, too, wanted to get on Metformin despite no Dx of diabetes. My former onc declined my request. You may have to "shop areound," as I did before finding a sympathetic ear/open mind. One of my docdocs referred me to a colleague who studied my case, and decided they could, in good faith, dx me with a "metabolic disorder." That opened the door to a Rx for Metformin. I stayed on a daily dose of 2,000 mg from 2018 to 2023. I gave it up reluctantly. I do believe, and my current onc does not disagree, that it contributed to prolonging my time between recurrences. It did not "cure" me as it seems to have done for TC (plus she is far more rigorous in her health regimen), but I wanted to continue on it. I stopped only after my Dx and Tx for colon cancer after which1 I titrated the dosage down and then back up again to confirm it was the Metformin (and not the CRC) that gave me the daily explosive diarrhea. After my successful CRC treatment, my DH was Dx'd with a progressive neuromuscular disease. We now live on a faster timetable, and the diarrhea was a definite lifestyle downer, so I elected to give it up. Perhaps a naturopath can assist you, or press your PCP if you have a good relationship. I agree with you. If it's unlikely to hurt you, and it may help you, why should you not have it if you want it? I had an endocrinologist once who was from Eastern Europe and they said, fascetiously, that it was a wonder drug and should be in the water supply!

Good luck and best wishes, Oldbeauty

MDale,

Yes, you have the right to try metformin before getting any more chemo. You do not have to get more chemo- You’ve already had chemo, radiation and Herceptin. You may already be chemo resistant. Wait until you get the CT scan results. If the nodules are tiny, it may not make sense to take “an anvil to an ant.” I refused Avastin and Everolimus and tried metformin instead (since it targeted what these drugs target) and it shut down my cancer in 30 days. I learned about what the drug does through my own research. I stopped chemo with 2cm of tumors remaining and they were gone about 2 ½ months later. I always recommend trying a less dangerous treatment first. You can always get the cancer drugs if you choose.

If your oncologist thinks metformin only treats diabetes, he/she doesn’t read the medical journals. Or maybe they are worried about being sued. You could write a document that says your oncologist will not be responsible for any effects you might have on the drug (and sign it). That is an option. They can poison you will too many cancer drugs and you can’t sue them but if they recommend a non-cancer drug, they are worried about being sued. I thought they are doctors and know what is OK for their patients. The best option would be to see a good internist who will work with you to address all your health issues. Oncologists won’t do that- they are trained to dispense cancer drugs.

If they do a biopsy of your lung nodules, I would suggest you ask the oncologist to send a specimen to Foundation Medicine for comprehensive genomic testing -they are one of the best. Genes control cellular processes in the body and once you know the genes that are mutated, you can identify the cellular pathways in your body that are malfunctioning. Then you can identify the proper treatment for your situation.

I started posting in Jan 2016, and I posted many summaries of metformin and cancer. That drug stopped my cancer in its tracks because it was a targeted treatment for me. A targeted treatment doesn’t have to be a cancer drug. But you have to know what to target. Metformin doesn’t treat cancer, it treats many of the underlying risks that can cause cancer to develop. Cancer is a symptom of all the toxins in your body- they can be biological, chemical, emotional. Viruses, metals, vitamin and mineral deficiencies are also big drivers of cancer.

If you want to learn about metformin and cancer, go to www.pubmed.gov (the website of the National Institute of Health) and search metformin and cancer. There are 8000 articles posted. They absolutely know all that metformin does- the researchers themselves take the drug. It is also known to have anti-aging benefits so you see many of the elites who are trying to extend their life take the drug. It is referred to as a magical drug in the medical journals.

Below is a summary of a few of the key benefits of metformin. Metformin controls metabolism and metabolism is the engine that runs our body- if the engine is malfunctioning, you have issues.

1Lowers glucose

2)Lowers serum insulin (hormone that is a key driver of cancer -works with glucose- get your insulin tested)

3)Lowers Insulin Growth Factor Hormone – 1 (IGF-1) a growth hormone that drives cancer- get this tested

4)If you are pre-diabetic (glucose between 100-125 or A1c 5.7-6.4), it can prevent you from becoming diabetic (doctors wait until you turn diabetic) – what is your A1c

5)Treats insulin resistance—your body doesn’t utilize insulin properly

6)Treats PCOS -Poly cystic ovary disease (which is caused by insulin resistant)

7)Inactivates the PI3K/Akt/Mtor (Pick) pathway) – this pathway controls our metabolism- when it is activated cells grow out of control- mutated in 90% of endometrial cancers

8)Targets cancer stem cells- the cells that initiate cancer metastasis

9)Targets angiogenesis – targets the growth of blood vessels that feed cancer cells so they turn into tumors (Avastin and Lenvima are used to target this process)

10) Helps restore function of the TP53 gene- this gene is frequently mutated in serous endometrial cancer

11)Lowers estrogen

12)Metformin is known to help with Herceptin resistance, which is common

13)Stops the cell cycle between the G1 and S phase (there are 4 phases), to trigger cell cycle arrest

14)Targets the mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells that make ATP, the energy that runs our bodies

15)Lowers glucose production in the liver (liver is a key site of metastasis- IGF-1 is also stored in the liver)

16)Targets the inflammation pathway (Nf-kb)- inflammation is a key driver of cancer

17)Helps you lose weight- fat cells are hormone making factories

18)Promotes autophagy of cancer cells (cellular housekeeping)- you have to clear out the old and damaged cells- it’s like a pac-man for cells

19)If you take metformin, be sure to get the extended-release formula so you don’t suffer an upset stomach or diarrhea

20)To take metformin, your eGFR (kidney function on the comprehensive metabolic panel) should be over 60- metformin is processed through the kidneys

21)Metformin prevents the body from absorbing Vitamin B12- you would need to test your B12 levels on a regular basis and supplement to maintain adequate levels

Here is a link to a more recent article that shows many of the health issues that metformin helps-it reviews some of the items I mentioned, but there are so many other things metformin does in the body I can’t list them all here.Metformin for Cardiovascular Protection, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Osteoporosis, Periodontitis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Neurodegeneration, Cancer, Inflammation and Senescence: What Is Next? - PubMed (nih.gov)

Many of the long termers on this site use metformin. That should tell you something. Some medical articles state that if you use metformin, you won’t die from cancer. It will not help everyone, but it is a tool in the tool box, and if you have any of the issues that metformin targets, it just might help save your life.

Takingcontrol58

Mercorby,

Metformin has also been shown to inhibit CDK4 and CDK6 on its own.

Takingcontrol58

The problem was that I was off the cdk 4/6 inhibitor too long. Anastrozole let the cancer return. There will be a speaker about the combo at the conference. I'll report back afterwards. Anyway, not on a cdk 4/6 inhibitor anymore. Everolimus works with metformin and anastrozole.

MDale,

Many people use Berberine instead of metformin. It is well known for lowering glucose. Some people take both.
Below is a good article to read for some background- I don't know if berberine targets all the cancer causing processes that metformin targets, that I mentioned in my summary above-or targets the TP53 mutation that you have. Metformin has been studied for many decades- and the medical journals confirm all the things it does. It also targets many of the cellular processes involved in cancer formation like cancer stem cells, inflammation, angiogenesis, autophagy. I don't know if berberine also targets these processes. I've never used berberine, but have been on metformin now for ten years, and have remained cancer-free.

This site is great for looking up supplements- Dr. Axe is a well know integrative doctor.
Berberine Benefits, Supplement Dosage and Side Effects - Dr. Axe (draxe.com)

Takingcontrol58

MDale, my naturopathic doctor recommended that to me as an alternative. I am travelling for the next few weeks so I don't have the formulation handy. They had me take it with something else which escapes me right now. One or the other, or together, also gave me diarrhea (which they warned me about) and I stopped taking it while I was on a trip last October. I've been stressing since the election, and have not connected with them to sort through this but I intend to when I return home in April. Can you find a naturopath in your area and get a referral to satisfy your HMO plan to discuss? Best wishes.