Metformin, a common Type 2 diabetes drug, may help prevent smokers from developing lung cancer, according to a recent article from Reuters.
Researchers said that the drug prevented the growth of lung tumors in mice exposed to cancer causing agents related to smoking. Mice that were given the drug orally had 40% to 50% fewer tumors than those mice not taking the medicine. Mice injected with metformin had 72% fewer tumors. Previous studies have concluded that the drug can reduce the risk of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer in diabetics.
Historically, mice studies relating to diabetes have not been good indicators of a drug’s success in humans. Further testing is needed to determine of metformin can prevent lung cancer in humans.
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