Diabetes Drug May Prevent Lung Cancer

New research indicates that a diabetes drug may work at preventing lung cancer.

The drug is called metformin and in clinical trials was shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer developing in smokers.

Researchers working with mice gave some the drug, and it proved successful at preventing the disease even when the mice were exposed to chemicals found in tobacco.

Some of the mice received the drug in an oral form while others received it via an injection.

Those who received the drug orally got 40 to 50% less tumors, while those who received the injection had an even greater reduced risk.

The drug appears to work to prevent lung cancer by activating an enzyme that blocks mTOR which is a protein that aids lung cancer growth.

“Although smoking cessation is the most important step for current smokers, over half of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in former smokers, raising the importance of identifying those at highest risk and identifying effective preventive treatments,” said Dr. Philip Dennis of the National Cancer Institute.

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