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Old 03-22-2011, 11:43 AM   #85
AlaskaAngel
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
Thumbs up Re: Breast cancer, and seeking advice

Hi All,

I have an Rx for metformin but have not yet tried it, mostly because I've stayed NED and am 9 years out and am as puzzled by all the triggers and pathways for breast cancer as everyone else.

But I just wanted to post an update all the same for those who have expressed an interest over time in my original wish for somone to help those of us (mostly postmenopausal) who diet and exercise without any real effect:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...10395#poststop

It seems I am getting pretty much what I wished for (hopefully, for better, not worse!)

http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.or...16/6/1695.full

There were a few things about this that were especially interesting to me that I thought I'd mention.

"Currently there are several potential markers studied at the preclinical level that relate to metformin mechanisms of action. They constitute the ideal initial set to explore, and include components of the IGF1R axis, the AMPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and metabolism serum markers such as insulin, c-peptide, and leptin. The above mentioned clinical trials should serve as the training and validation sets to develop biomarkers of response that can be used to personalize metformin-based cancer therapy."

To have MARKERs to help us out would be pretty nice!

What surprises me is that they don't mention any likely beneficial effects in addition for these patients due to weight management that reduces their overall morbidity. A missed opportunity...

Another missed opportunity is.... I wonder what the numbers would look like if they not only did metformin but an arm that included vitamin D3 supplementation. I wonder if there is an additive effect or not, or any interaction between metformin and vitamin D3.

RB discussed vitamin D3 years ago on the forums here for consideration. Here also is a later post by Rich:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...ight=metformin

AlaskaAngel
__________________
Dx 2002 age 51
bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother.
ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3
IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3
Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen
Rads necrosis
BRCA 1 & 2 negative
Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors
Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3
Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day
No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI
NED
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