Common Diabetic Drug Fights Cancer Stem Cells

SubtleGuest writes "In the latest issue of Cancer Research, a breakthrough study shows that Metformin, a cheap and common diabetic medicine, kills cancer stem cells — the cells postulated to be responsible for tumor resistance and recurrence after chemotherapy (research abstract here). It has been known that diabetics taking Metformin experience lower cancer rates, and now it is apparent why that may be and how it may apply to non-diabetics as well. When combined with Doxorubicin to kill non-stem cancer cells, the results are nothing short of astonishing: total remission in a mouse xenograft model. The results are achieved at levels below the dosage needed for diabetic control, opening many new avenues in cancer treatment and prevention."

Comments

I feel jealous

[BadAnalogyGuy]

I wish I was a mouse. Then I'd get all the good cancer treatments.

Re:I feel jealous

[siloko]

I really, really, really want to post a Whooosh but your reply was so nice and informative I couldn't bring myself to do it!

Re:I feel jealous

[Profane MuthaFucka]

No, sementherapy. It's astonishingly bad.

Cruel and unusual punishment

[cjfs]

How metformin affects cancer isn't certain, but one possibility is that it deprives tumor cells of sugar.

It's a slippery slope. If we allow this treatment to go through, what next? Take away their caffeine?

What use is there in victory if we destroy all we stand for?

Re:Cruel and unusual punishment

[Nick Number]

It's a slippery slope. If we allow this treatment to go through, what next? Take away their caffeine?

After that we cut off their supply of Robert Smith tunes.

That's right; no Cure for cancer say I.

Re:Non-human model systems

[jimicus]

Hang on a minute, you sound like you know what you're talking about! What are you doing on /.?

Xenograft?

[Sponge Bath]

Doctor #1: "Is this going to be a stand-up fight, Sir, or another bug-hunt?"
Researcher: "A Xenograph may be involved..."
Doctor #2: "It's a bug hunt."

Re:Non-human model systems

[Disgruntled Goats]

Someone needs to lay off of the Kevin Trudeau informercials.

Re:Non-human model systems

[Shotgun]

Counter claim?

Here's a counter claim for you. In a month, this treatment will turn people into night-raging ZOMBIES!! The next thing you know, Will Smith will have to watch his wife blow up in a helicopter, and then embark on a lonely, multiple-year quest for a cure while hunting deer in Manhattan. Stop the insanity I say!!