In a noteworthy shift toward combination therapy for endometrial cancer, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's very own Amanda Jackson shared insights on the promising role of metformin. This development comes from a recent study revealing that metformin, when paired with other drugs, significantly helped patients with a specific type of endometrial cancer, reports MedPage Today through the University of Cincinnati's official website.
The RESOLVE study, conducted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, involved 25 patients administered the diabetes drug metformin in conjunction with letrozole and abemaciclib to treat recurrent estrogen receptor (ER)--positive endometrial cancer. According to the results, these patients saw a median progression-free survival span extending beyond 19.3 months. Furthermore, not a single patient halted their treatment owing to drug-related toxicities—a fact that speaks to the safety of metformin usage in this context. Out of the participants, three experienced complete responses, five were partial, and sixteen had stable disease with a median follow-up of 17 months.
Jackson, an associate professor and division chief in the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, highlighted that while metformin isn't a cure-all addressing specific mutations, it's affordable and generally well-tolerated. "Metformin seems cost effective and has minimal side effects, and is probably a great option," Jackson told MedPage Today. Her remarks reflect a broader consensus on the potential benefits of integrating metformin into treatment regimens for ER-positive endometrial cancer patients.
It's a beacon of hope for those battling this form of cancer, especially considering the need for more effective treatments that don't compound patients' burdens with severe side effects. Indeed, this paradigm of combination therapy may herald a new era of cancer care, where the disease is managed with a finesse that spares patients the brunt of conventional treatment's fallout. Moreover, the affordability of metformin makes it an even more attractive option, potentially improving access to effective cancer care for a broader demographic.
