• Metformin, a common diabetes drug, is being studied as a potential supplemental treatment for colon cancer, especially those with mutated KRAS genes.
• Early research indicates that metformin may inhibit colon cancer cell growth by altering energy usage.
• Researchers emphasize the need for further animal testing before human clinical trials can begin.

Researchers are investigating the potential of metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes drug, as a supplemental treatment for colon cancer. Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference, the research focuses on how metformin interacts with colon cancer cells, particularly those with the difficult-to-treat mutated KRAS gene. Early findings suggest that metformin could play a role in inhibiting cancer cell growth by changing how the cells use energy, but further research, including animal testing, is required before human clinical trials can commence. The appeal lies in metformin's accessibility, affordability, and established safety profile.

• What: Metformin, a widely used diabetes drug, is being investigated as a potential supplemental treatment for colon cancer. Early research suggests it may inhibit cancer cell growth by altering energy usage.
• Who: Holli Loomans-Kropp (The Ohio State University), Dr. Nir Barzilai (Longevity Researcher), American Association for Cancer Research.
• When: Research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference (last week, implied to be in Chicago), ongoing studies with animal testing planned within a year.
• Where: Research conducted at The Ohio State University, presented at a conference in Chicago. The focus is on cellular interactions within the body.

The research into metformin's potential as a supplemental colon cancer treatment is significant due to the drug's existing accessibility, affordability, and safety profile. If proven effective, it could offer a readily available and cost-effective addition to existing cancer treatment regimens. The focus on KRAS-mutated colon cancers is particularly important, as these are often difficult to treat. However, the research is still in its early stages, and further animal testing and human clinical trials are necessary to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy. We're opening up some doors to what this could do.

Let the science lead.

If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit.

Early research suggests that metformin, a widely available diabetes drug, may hold promise as a supplemental treatment for colon cancer, particularly those with KRAS mutations. The drug's potential lies in its ability to alter energy usage in cancer cells, inhibiting their growth. While these findings are encouraging, further animal testing is required before human clinical trials can begin, and more research is needed to fully understand metformin's role in cancer treatment and prevention.