A recent study from the landmark STAMPEDE trial shows promising results for men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing hormone therapy.
The study, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference, found that metformin, a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, can reduce the side effects associated with hormone therapy.

Hormone therapy is a highly effective treatment for stopping the progression of prostate cancer, but it often leads to metabolic side effects, including weight gain and insulin resistance.

These side effects can increase the risk of developing other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The STAMPEDE trial, the world’s largest interventional prostate cancer trial with nearly 12,000 participants, has already produced multiple practice-changing results, improving life expectancy for patients with advanced prostate cancer. The trial’s latest findings on metformin add to its legacy of impactful research.
The study involved 1,874 men with metastatic prostate cancer who did not have diabetes. They were assigned to receive either standard treatment or standard treatment plus metformin. After two years, men who received metformin gained only half as much weight (2kg) compared to those who received standard treatment alone. They also had lower blood sugar levels and lower levels of harmful circulating fats, including cholesterol.

Significantly, fewer patients in the metformin group reported signs of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health problems that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, 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, consultant urologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and one of the principal investigators of the trial, expressed optimism about the findings. He stated that hormone therapies, while effective, have unwanted side effects that impact patients’ health and quality of life. Professor Clarke hopes that this new indication for metformin will be available on the NHS soon, allowing more patients to benefit.

While these findings are preliminary and require further research to confirm and fully understand their implications, they offer a ray of 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.

Source.