Diabetes drug with side effects: Less Cancer

Drugs often have side effects, sometimes even serious side effects, and some even have been suspected to cause cancer. But in this case, a diabetes drug it is a different way. AOK-media mp Dusseldorf - Drugs often have side effects, sometimes even serious side effects, and some even have been suspected to cause cancer. But in this case, a diabetes drug it is a different way. AOK-media By Detlef Wilkens 2. Oct 2009, 16:23 Drugs often have side effects, sometimes even serious side effects, and some even have been suspected to cause cancer. But in this case it is a different kind: the diabetes drug metformin reduced the likelihood of developing cancer. This report by researchers at the University of Dundee in Scotland in the journal 'Diabetes Care'. They assessed data from diabetic patients treated with metformin and compared them with a control group of diabetic patients taking metformin no. Because of the mode of action of the drug, the krebsunterdrückende effect is suspected for some time. The drug is contraindicated in patients with type 2 diabetes, the most frequently used drug. The Scottish researchers collected data from 4 085 diabetic patients who were treated from 1994 to 2003 for the first time with it. 297 patients developed cancer during the investigation period. These data were compared with 4 085 diabetics who were not treated with metformin. Of these, 474 persons became ill with cancer. Taking into account various factors was based on these data, a calculated probability of disease decreased by 37 percent. The researchers now hope to be able to better protect people with high risk of cancer by preventive administration of metformin. It could also be stopped, at least in patients with cancer tumor growth. But up to the use of metformin to prevent cancer, it is still a long way: Clinical studies in humans to confirm the action and, above all, to clarify the spectrum of adverse events, which is in non-diabetics not enough research. This could for example, increased intake of sugar from the blood in non-diabetic patients, lead to hypoglycemia, especially metformin also suppresses the formation of sugar in the liver. What are the effects of simulated by metformin, but not present sugar shortage in the cell would have non-diabetics, is also still unclear