In this post and others I am going to tell you about important drugs that can be used to treat uterine cancer, that are not labeled or prescribed for this. Repurposed drug use is not something new. Many drugs are made to treat a particular problem and found to be effective for other things. However, many traditional doctors do not like to prescribe repurposed drugs. Either they worry about repercussions or they aren’t knowledgeable about the benefits of these drugs against cancer. They want to stick with their standard protocols. As we know, these standard protocols don’t always work and repurposed drugs may be a great addition to your regimen to keep cancer at bay.
It doesn’t hurt to ask your doctor(s) about repurposed drugs and you may be surprised. My primary care physician is very open to new things and she was willing to prescribe this particular drug for me. It helps when you can back up your request with scientific studies.
In this first post I am going to be telling you all about metformin. I first learned about it at an integrative cancer center in California. My naturopathic doctor there prescribed metformin as part of my treatment regimen. There are a lot of studies showing the benefits of using metformin for uterine cancer. It may be helpful to reference the studies I am linking to this post when you speak with your doctors.
Although I will show you how effective this drug can be against uterine cancer, please do not take metformin without discussing it with your naturopathic doctor or your regular doctor(s). Although this drug has been around for decades and is very safe, there are always possible side effects with any drug. It will also be important to know if there are any interactions of metformin with other prescription drugs you may be taking.
Please note, I will be using the term endometrial cancer in this post, which is the most common form of uterine cancer. However, endometrial cancer in this context includes all the different types such as endometrioid, serous, clear cell, malignant mixed Mullerian and sarcomas.
WHAT IS METFORMIN
Metformin, also called Glucophage℞, is an oral drug that comes from the French lilac plant, Galega officinalis. People were using extracts of the leaves of this plant for treating many ailments dating back to the 17th century. In 1922, scientists were able to isolate metformin and other compounds from this plant. The French started using metformin to treat diabetes in the 1950s, but it was not approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States until 1995! So typical.
It’s nice to know this is a medication that comes naturally from a plant instead of the synthetic drugs created by pharmaceutical companies. It is the most commonly used medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin works by lowering blood sugar (glucose) levels. There are two main ways it does this.
First, it inhibits gluconeogenesis. This is the process where the liver produces glucose from non-glucose precursors like amino acids and lactate and releases this glucose into the bloodstream.
Metformin also reduces insulin resistance and lowers insulin levels. With metformin use, the cells of the body are able to absorb more glucose from the bloodstream and the pancreas doesn’t have to produce as much insulin. Through this mechanism, metformin indirectly reduces insulin levels, which is very beneficial.
It is available worldwide at low cost and is not under patent by any pharmaceutical company.
Besides its use for diabetes, metformin is also effective against other conditions including, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
METFORMIN FOR USE AGAINST ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
In dozens of studies, metformin has been shown to be effective for the treatment of endometrial cancer through many mechanisms. Not only that, but it is a very safe and inexpensive drug. Many women diagnosed with endometrial cancer are obese, have insulin resistance and high blood sugar and are metabolically unhealthy. Metformin can help reverse all of these problems. Even for women who don’t have these problems, it is still very beneficial in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Keep reading.
- Metformin reduces insulin resistance and lowers insulin levels in the blood. Insulin is a known promoter of endometrial cancer growth. By reducing insulin, metformin may slow the progression of cancer.
- High insulin can lead to increased production of estrogen. By reducing insulin, metformin can indirectly modulate estrogen levels. We don’t want elevated estrogen with endometrial cancer!
- Metformin helps regulate and lower blood glucose and improve metabolic health. This is crucial because endometrial cancer cells thrive on glucose.
- It inhibits the PIK3CA-AKT and mTOR pathways, which are major signaling pathways in endometrial cancer. These pathways are involved in cancer cell proliferation, growth, migration and invasion.
- Metformin may reduce the activity of aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. This is particularly relevant in post-menopausal women, where peripheral tissues become a significant source of estrogen production. In fact, many women with endometrial cancer are treated with aromatase inhibiting drugs, which have a lot of undesirable side effects.
- Metformin activates the AMPK pathway, which can inhibit cancer cell growth and proliferation by affecting the energy balance within the cancer cells.
- Some studies suggest that metformin might affect estrogen receptor signaling pathways. This is important because these pathways can lead to the growth of estrogen receptor positive cancer cells.
- Multiple studies have demonstrated the ability of metformin to inhibit the proliferation of both type I and type II endometrial cancer cell lines in cell cultures.
- It lowers the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which plays a pivotal role in regulating cancer cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
- Reduces tumor biomarkers that indicate tumor progression, including Ki67.
- Works well with other treatments like chemotherapy to enhance the effects of the cytotoxic drugs and reduce drug resistance.
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- Metformin can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (programmed cell death) of endometrial cancer cells, thereby inhibiting their growth.
- It is able to inhibit epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition. This is a process involved in tumor progression, metastasis and the generation of tumor cells that have stem cell properties that are resistant to cancer treatments. Read More
- Some studies suggest that metformin may target cancer stem cells, which are responsible for cancer recurrence, metastasis and resistance to treatment.
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- In this study they demonstrated that metformin given pre-operatively to obese women with endometrial cancer reduced tumor proliferation and had dramatic inhibitory effects on the mTOR signaling pathway. Read More
- Has shown promise as a treatment for women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia and for women who want to preserve fertility who have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. See this study where they used metformin plus megestrol acetate for this. Read More
- Can modulate and stimulate the immune response to cancer cells by enhancing CD8+ T-cell and natural killer cell function, reduce the expression of PD-L1 and reduce inflammation.
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- Has many beneficial effects on the gut microbiome by increasing good bacteria and reducing harmful bacteria. Also protects the intestinal barrier, preventing leaky gut.
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Most importantly, metformin improves survival and reduces the risk of recurrence in endometrial cancer patients! Look at these studies showing this benefit and there are more.
In this study, they reviewed pooled data that included over 5 million participants. The data showed that endometrial cancer patients using metformin had significantly improved overall survival and reduced risk of recurrence compared with patients not using metformin. Read More
Metformin is associated with improved survival in endometrial cancer Read More
Metformin use is associated with reduced incidence and improved survival of endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis Read More
Here is a good review article for a deep dive into metformin as a treatment for endometrial cancer.
Metformin as a Therapeutic Target in Endometrial Cancers. Read More
There are so many more studies and clinical trials that support the use of metformin as an adjunctive treatment for endometrial cancer. I can’t believe oncologists aren’t prescribing it as part of the treatment protocol on a regular basis.
ANTI-AGING BENEFITS OF METFORMIN
Another amazing benefit of metformin is that it may be used to extend lifespan and health span! They are showing it to be protective for geriatrics by targeting many mechanisms associated with aging. Metformin has effectiveness against cardiovascular disease, alzheimers and cancer among other things. In other words, metformin is now considered an effective anti-aging drug!
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES
- Metformin as a tool to target aging Read More
- Metformin reduces all-cause mortality and diseases of aging independent of its effect on diabetes control: A systematic review and meta-analysis Read More
- A critical review of the evidence that metformin is a putative anti-aging drug that enhances health span and extends lifespan Read More
- Protective effects of metformin in various cardiovascular diseases: Clinical evidence and AMPK‐dependent mechanisms Read More
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Although metformin is known to be a very safe, non-toxic drug, it is important to know about some of the possible side effects if you are going to take this medication.
- The most common side effect of metformin is gastrointestinal upset including bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea. This is not very common, about 20-30% of patients experience these symptoms and they are usually temporary. Usually a dose adjustment is all that is needed.
- Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level that is too low and is a possible side effect of metformin. This is more common in diabetics who are also using insulin. This can cause weakness, dizziness, brain fog and fatigue. Although not very common, it is something to be mindful of. It helps to have a blood glucose monitor so you can check your levels periodically to see how metformin is affecting you.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is a known side effect of metformin, especially with prolonged use. It is a good idea to supplement this vitamin if you are taking metformin.
HOW IT IS USED
Metformin comes in tablet, caplet and liquid forms of different strengths. It is typically taken 2 times per day. Some formulations are extended release, so they are taken once a day.
It is important to eat regular healthy meals when you are taking metformin to prevent blood glucose drops, especially if you are diabetic and on insulin.
If you are using metformin on a regular basis, make sure to supplement vitamin B12.
I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about metformin to see if it would be beneficial in your treatment regimen. For patients with recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer, this may be of particular benefit along with other off-label drugs I will be talking about in other posts.
I personally have taken metformin, which was prescribed by my naturopathic doctors and my primary care physician, with no side effects. I do not have diabetes, but I will continue to take it periodically for all the health benefits and to hopefully prevent cancer recurrence.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY ON YOUR HEALING JOURNEY
Today’s recommendation is about “getting your affairs in order.” We know we never want to hear those words and hopefully we never will, but it is important for us to do this. Really, every adult no matter what their age, should do this. Although this phrase has many meanings, in this context I am referring to some very important documents you need to have drawn up.
First off, you need to take the necessary steps to get a will (or trust), a power of attorney and an advanced medical directive in place if you don’t already have these. I know this may be hard to do and it can be a big expense. It is not something you want to put off though. I had these documents drawn up with an attorney even before my diagnosis. Once it was done, it gave me tremendous peace of mind.
So many people do not take this necessary action and their loved ones are left to deal with all the problems that can occur as a result. I have heard too many horror stories of people who passed away suddenly without a will and it created a long, drawn-out, expensive legal battle to straighten out. Even worse, the wishes of the loved one who passed were not honored because it was not in writing and valuable assets were lost to attorney’s fees. Trust me, you don’t want that.
- A will or trust is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death.
- A power of attorney allows someone else to make decisions on your behalf if you were to become incapable of doing this.
- An advanced directive is a legal document that specifies your healthcare wishes in the event that you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself due to illness, injury or incapacity.
I had all of these documents drawn up with an attorney in two planning sessions. Reach out to an estate planning attorney today to start the process. It’s so important and you won’t regret it.
Another very important document is a life insurance policy, especially if you have a spouse or children. You do not want to leave them with any financial worries if you were to pass away. Again, this is peace of mind if something were to happen to you, you know your loved ones will be ok.
Please don’t wait to get these documents together.
Lastly, set up a filing cabinet or a safe where all your important papers, passwords, websites, bank accounts, your will and other important files are kept and let someone you trust know about this and make sure they can access it. Go over your wishes with the people designated to make decisions for you in case you become unable to. Make sure everything is up to date.
May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
II Thessalonians 3:16