Well-known diabetes drug 'could prevent cancer

A drug commonly used to treat diabetes may prevent cancer tumours, according to research published today.

A study of cancer rates among sufferers of type 2 diabetes found that those taking the drug metformin have at least a 25% reduced risk of developing cancer.

The study was carried out by Professor Dario Alessi, at the University of Dundee school of life sciences; professor Andrew Morris, Scotland's leading clinician on diabetes; and Dr Josie Evans, an epidemiologist from the university's medical school.

The team compared diabetic patients with and without cancer to see how many had been treated with metformin, and found that diabetes patients who do not have cancer are more likely to have been taking metformin than diabetes sufferers with cancer.

It is believed that the drug works by activating the enzyme AMPK, which is thought to be effective in suppressing tumours. AMPK is also the target for metformin, leading scientists to the theory that the drug may also reduce the risk of cancer.

Professor Morris said: "Metformin has been used to treat people with type 2 diabetes in the UK since 1957. Despite being the most widely used drug for people with the condition, it is only recently we have learned how it works.

"The possibility that it may have beneficial effects beyond diabetes control is very exciting indeed."

These early conclusions were drawn from two years' observation of patients. A full-scale study to verify the results will soon begin.

Dr Evans said: "It is hoped that a more precisely designed study will provide more reliable evidence of the effect that metformin has on cancer."

However, because the drug is already on the market, it could become available as a cancer drug within the next two years - rather than the 10-15 years it normally takes for a new drug to undergo full testing.