There are a numerous papers about Metformin's efficacy. I'm a low grade oligodendroglioma (1p/19q deleted, IDH1 mutation, CIC mutation, and TP53 mutation) with stable, yet residual tumor. I've had chemo/radiation. What approach would you Reccomend to presenting to my Dr. To get Metformin as a maintenance/preventative therapy? Papers appreciated.
Grace and peace, Danny
Hi Danny, my Dr wouldn't perscribe metformin so I take berberine instead, 500g twice a day
ReplyDeleteNicola, thanks. Have you monitored your blood sugar to see if it keeps it level?
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't but each time the doc has tested it I'm always in the low side hence why they won't perscribe metformin
Delete"Patients receiving metformin had an improved median survival compared with all other antidiabetic medications."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/cns.13.12
Will upload this to the Brain Tumor Library.
Another possible benefit of metformin is immune stimulation.
http://www.pnas.org/content/112/6/1809.abstract
Additionally, Danny, every time we've seen a new doc, we've handed him/her a paper listing all elements of the cocktail and what the elements are supposed to do. On another paper we have "How the cocktail came about" and I always include links to Ben Williams book (http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Terminal-Cancer-Treatments-Oncologist/dp/1477496513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439433458&sr=8-1&keywords=ben+williams+surviving+terminal+cancer), and the movie (http://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/about-us/surviving-terminal-cancer-watch-the-full-film).
ReplyDeleteBen updates his book and makes it available in pdf. The latest version is 2014 (http://virtualtrials.com/pdf/williams2014.pdf).
This is where the cocktail idea for brain cancer originated. In the pdf, Metformin is mentioned on Pg. 11, 27, 92 and 96.
Our other expert is our own Stephen Western. On his website (http://astrocytomaoptions.com/), you can refer your doc to the following pages for info on Metformin:
http://astrocytomaoptions.com/repurposed-drugs/
http://astrocytomaoptions.com/re-educating-the-immune-system/
http://astrocytomaoptions.com/targeting-tumour-metabolism/
If you provide them the resources, they may be willing to do a little research on your behalf.
Standing by to hear how you do with this.
Thank you all. I've ordered my first from kiwidrug 500mg. I'm going to compose an email to my NO about this. I want to let him know I understand why he doesn't prescribe off label use of metformin though the evidence of its efficaciousness is clear. The institutional roadblocks are real. I want to share the papers not because he is unaware but because I want him to know I'm not making uninformed decisions. I hope we don't have a falling out because I am comfortable in the system (Which includes a support group he goes to). However, my commitment is not to the system or science, but my wife and kids. I'm going to test blood glucose every hour for a day to get a baseline. Then do the same after starting Metformin. What would you all say is a good target number to keep it at? I'm then going to my old primary to see if he will keep up on it.
ReplyDeleteDanny, do you mind me asking how you paid on this site? It only gave me the option to pay with my check and asked for my checking account info, which was a big disappointment.
DeleteI paid by check acct #. I figure my bank will protect me from any unauthorized withdraws.
DeleteHere's some good info on what is "normal" - http://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2013/01/is-my-blood-sugar-normal/
ReplyDeleteWhen I checked with the cancercompass community for Chance, I found that most people don't bother to check even if they are taking Metformin and DCA. I was surprised. Chance started tracking daily, then after a few weeks, changed to occasionally. He levels remain "normal."
Glioma-Initiating Cell Elimination by Metformin Activation of FOXO3 via AMPK - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659661/
ReplyDelete