Calling all TNs
Comments
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Correction ladies my dosage is 850mg...for metaformin.0
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Thanks Michelle,
I did ask about it at my last appt which was just a follow up from the end of Chemo and he said no, it's not for me. Really would like to push him on it this time. I know prior to my diagnosis my sugars were bordering trouble and I am/was overwieght, I have managed to lose quite a bit but am still very heavy so if the Onc won't prescribe maybe I can beg my primary.
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This is from an NCI Bulletin published in September 2009"Low doses of the commonly used diabetes drug metformin may be an effective treatment for breast cancer, primarily because the drug appears to target breast cancer stem cells, Harvard Medical School researchers reported online September 14 in Cancer Research. Cancer stem cells, also called tumor-initiating cells, are thought to be relatively rare cells that can give rise to new tumors and are resistant to standard cancer treatments.In the study, the combination of metformin and the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin was more effective than either drug alone at eliminating cancer cells and cancer stem cells in cultured cell lines of four genetically distinct breast cancer types, including HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. In a breast cancer mouse model, the drug combination eliminated tumors and prevented regrowth, whereas doxorubicin alone only reduced tumor size and did not prevent regrowth, and metformin alone had little effect."With both drugs, regression was quicker...and, more importantly, there was no relapse," said senior author Dr. Kevin Struhl during a press briefing on the study.When the researchers analyzed cell populations taken from the tumors of mice after three cycles of treatment, they found almost no cancer stem cells in the animals that received the drug combination but found the stem cells easily in tumors from mice given only doxorubicin. The highly beneficial effect of the combination treatment and the limited effect of either drug alone support the cancer stem cell hypothesis, Dr. Struhl said.The results support previously published epidemiologic and laboratory studies that have suggested metformin has an anticancer effect, Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, a breast cancer researcher from Harvard University who was not involved with the study, said during the briefing. As a result, a large phase III clinical trial will test whether using metformin after standard treatment in women with early stage breast cancer can improve outcomes. The trial is being sponsored by NCI and coordinated by the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Trial investigators hope to start enrolling patients in the study next year, Dr. Ligibel said."Canada started Phase III trials in 2010, and the US started early this year, I think.I was taking it while on chemo and had a complete pathological response. I think this is something we should all watch closely. In the meantime, if you have a fasting glucose over 100 or are overweight, your PCP could prescribe metformin and it wouldn't be an "off-label" use. The side effects are minimal - a little GI distress at first and that's about it for the overwhelming majority of people. Unlike other classes of diabetic drugs, it doesn't cause blood sugar lows. I plan to take it for the rest of my life!0
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Interesting stuff about Metaformin - I had gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy 14 years ago and was going to get my sugar levels checked at my annual checkup before the BC dx. I could stand to lose about 30 lbs, so it makes the connection between diabetes and cancer all the more plausible in my mind. Hmmm....
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Asked my MO about Metaformin yesterday - he wasn't too familiar with it. Just said it must be a clinical trial. I think I'll copy Michelle's post and show it to him!
I too could stand to lose some weight...looks increasingly like a pattern.
Lisa
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Here is this guy who really takes care of his body; he lifts weights and jogs five miles every day.
One morning, he looks into the mirror and admires his body. He notices that he is really sun tanned all over except one part and he decides to do something about it.
He goes to the beach, completely undresses and buries himself in the sand except for the one part sticking out.
Two little old ladies are strolling along the beach and one looks down and says, "There really is no justice in this world."
The other little old lady says, "What do you mean?"
The first little old lady says, "Look at that."
"When I was 10 years old, I was afraid of it."
"When I was 20 years old, I was curious about it."
"When I was 30 years old, I enjoyed it."
"When I was 40 years old, I asked for it."
"When I was 50 years old, I paid for it."
"When I was 60 years old, I prayed for it."
"When I was 70 years old, I forgot about it."
"And now that I'm 80, the damned things are growing wild!!"0 -
OMG...ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!
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Posting from the road!
I am headed back home from our Christmas vacation in Williamsburg VA. We had a great time! I was able to visit with my step-brother, step-sister, and their families (we are very close knit). We went to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens (which is all decorated and lit with a Christmas theme). We took our time, I used a wheelchair, and it was so nice and stress-free! We brought a small tree that the kids decorated, and they were so happy with their gifts, there were no complaints about how we scaled down. I was very proud of them
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We are driving home today, and just loaded up on Krispy Kreme donuts (4 dozen - lol - we don't have any near us) and I have my treatment tomorrow. So far I think it is working, because I no longer have a cough, and am not taking anything to suppress it. So that's a good sign.
I hope everyone had a great holiday, and I will try and catch up soon.0 -
Hi Suze, it is so so so good to hear from you and to hear of all the love which surrounds you. So glad to hear you no longer have the cough, yes, that is a hugely great sign. I want some Krispy Kreme donuts too, yes I do, yummy!
Anyone heard from LauraJane these days?
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Yay, Suze - So glad you enjoyed the trip. Sounds like some great family times. Enjoy those Kripy Kremes! Happy New Year!
Kathy
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Hello Ladies,
Don't post often but always follow along. I have Mets to liver and am TN, 45 years old and just recovered from left lobe lung surgery in July, completed 6 taxotere. Needless to say the drug failed me and the cancer moved onto the liver. My regular Oncologist wants to try Ixmpera and 2nd opinion wants to try xleoda and am torn which one to choose. Wondering if any of you ladies have had success or harm from either treatment. Would appreciate any advice or feedback.
Wishing all the best of health in the new year.
Hope
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Suze, you were in my neck of the woods! Other than a few days of rain, hope you enjoyed our unseasonably warm weather. I have to chuckle about the Krispy Kremes - my sister is here from Maine and buys KKs every single time we shop! She loves 'em too.
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Interesting day at the MO's office for my 3 month check up today. He asked if I was willing to participate in a research study that the University of Kansas (which my cancer center is partnered with) is doing on triple negatives. They took five vials of blood for it (took a half hour and 2 pokes to get it all out of my little veins!). They are researching potential genetic links other than BRCA 1 and 2. I asked about Metformin. He said he would like to do a little research on it first and will call me in a week. I have a feeling he will come back with "it's not for you". He said his biggest concern using Metformin is the drop in glucose levels. If you are sleeping and your levels drop very low- it kills brain cells. I haven't read up on this myself, but it kind of sounds like he is against it before even knowing much about it. We'll see!
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Mitymuffin - I too take the baby aspirin and have been since I stopped chemo Sept. 2010. I read that results of that trial where they had the triple neg nurses taking 81 mgs. of baby aspirin everyday and there were no recurrences, whereas the group of TN's not taking the aspirin did have recurrences. Who knows, but I felt since we have nothing else to take I'd run that by my onc, with the research papers I collected on that particular trial (I think it was done in Sweden, not sure), but she said it makes sense, since cancer is known to be related to inflammation, and aspirin fights inflammation, she said go for it. Have been taking it ever since. At least taking that little pill every day makes me feel as though I'm doing something! I take it with my Vit. D and calcium pills each a.m. Here's hoping.......
Linda
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Linda- just plain old baby aspirin, like Bayer?
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Tif - Tell Monaghan that metformin doesn't cause low blood sugar - that's the beauty of it even as a diabetic drug. And that's probably why they didn't hesitate to use it in a clinical trial for people who are not diabetic. And I think he takes an aspirin every day - he told me that he did when I was seeing him.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/metformin.html
"...Unlike sulfonylureas, Metformin does not produce hypoglycemia in either patients with type 2 diabetes or normal subjects (except in special circumstances, see PRECAUTIONS)..."
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I dunno..I took aspirin before BC because my grandfather (paternal) died of heart disease and my dad had a quadruple by-pass at age 67 (the same age my grandfather died)..my Dad is almost 80 years old (I can't believe it) and doing great.
Anyway..besides that..I did take the aspirin..have for probably 20 years and still got BC...but oh well....I'm still taking it and hoping for the best,
Interesting comments on the Metformin...anxious to talk to my onc...I'm going to file this all in my head and talk to him about this...it will be very interesting to hear his response.
OMG>>Krispy Kremes...I ate 10 of them at one time...a few years ago...I'm serious..I was high as a kite from the sugar and my stomach hurt..but it was worth it..glad you are having fun Suze!
Hope...I havent had either chemo but whatever you choose I hope, hope it works for you...isn't the Xeloda a oral drug?
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Hope,
I'm sorry you are facing this and have not had good responses to the other drugs. Make sure you also post in the Stage 4 areas as you may get more feedback on these chemos. I have also noticed that there is a ton of information on the triple negative breast cancer foundation site about some of the other chemos - www.tnbcfoundation.org. If you post a topic with the two chemo names in it you will likely get a response there. I am on eribulin (Halaven) right now which is approved for Stage 4 and is available in clinical trials for earlier stages. I had TAC before. This chemo is a quick infusion, only about 5 minutes - and is given in my clinical trial 2 weeks out of 3. I have had six infusions so far and am becoming very fatigued but other than flu like symptoms and some constipation, I am doing ok. I am working full time. Please let us know how you are doing and what you find out. Best wishes to you and hope the next drug gives you NED!
Suze, Great to hear that you all had a great time in Williamsburg. It must be amazing at Christmas! I am really happy that your cough is so much better that you do not have to be on meds for it!
Bernie Ellen, That is hilarious! I liked your diet, too - sounds like mine pre BC diagnosis.
Regarding the metformin and sugar, etc. I can say that I have been an absolute sugar glutton in the past - I worked far too many hours, and ate lots of sugar to deal with deadlines and stress. I have tested high for triglycerides so it is possible I have metabolic syndrome. I used to exercise vigorously 3-5 days a week- running, cycling, kickboxing- from age 22 to 45, but the last five years I started working way too much - I have cut back on sugar, though, and plan to keep getting more and more of it out of my diet as well as get back to my old exercising habits.
Teka, That was funny!!
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Suze, So glad you had a warm and loving Christmas, and finished it with Krispy Kremes. Great that your cough is going away.
I'm wishing us all health, strength and joy in the New Year.
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Suze, so glad you had a great vacation/Christmas. I happen to be addicted to the krispy kreme coffee, thankfully we don't have any around or I would have one every day.
I've started taking 1 Bayer asprin in the morning with the rest of my vitamins, should I increase and take another in the evening?
Who knows if asprin or any of these vitamins will work but as long as it can't hurt, I'm willing to try.
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I am also having the same problem choosing between xeloda from one doctor and IV chemo from another. Is there anyone who is currently taking xeloda? If so, have there been any improvement with their cancer. Thanks!!!
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Thanks Michelle- I will print out your link so i can read it to Monaghan when he calls. I asked him if low blood sugar was a problem, why are women taking it? He just said let him look into it. This is the first time I have doubted him. I hope he comes back with a decent response!
Suze- so glad you enjoyed your trip! I used to live 1 block away from a Krispy Kreme when my husband and I first married- then moved about a mile away and now we are 40 miles away from the nearest one! Oh how I miss them!!
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Hi Ladies, I hope you all had wonderful holidays and welcome to the Newbies.
Heidi, your cat looks like Cujo's cousin in that picture, lol.
Someone asked about how the Metformin was thought to work? I read the studies, some of which made my eyes glaze over, because they were so technical. I did find one article that explained there thoughts in simple terms. Cancer cells are faster growing than normal cells. They think Metformin effects mitochondrial cells (mitochondria produce energy). Since cancer cells grow rapidly, they need a lot of energy. They felt that Metformin's effect on the mitochondria, helped prevent the cancer cells from getting the energy they needed to grow.0 -
Well crap. Im off to the hospital. Went in for seroma to be drained and the culure came back from a draining g a few days ago and I have a staph infection. They certainly content mess around.
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Don't not content. Typing on my phone!
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So sorry, bak94. That sucks! Good luck and I hope you heal quickly!
Kathy
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That's a bummer, Bak94. I hope they spring you loose very quickly!
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Kathyrnn
Thanks for sharing the infor on how in simple terms, the article talks about how the metformin works on cancer cells. That explanation helps me understand a lot better. Honestly, I don't think that I will ever understand during my lifetime, how this cancer thing happens, and it will always always remain a mystery, but I sure wouldn't like to hear from experts that it has anything to do with sugar consumption. I love sweets and I try my best to be reasonable, but I have seen many others who consume so much more than I, yet they don't get cancer. I know it is something else which causes it, something, which I didn't do, and am not responsible.
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TifJ-
Yup - Bayer baby aspirin. But you only want to take one 81mg. per day and make sure you are not allergic to aspirin.
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The low-dose aspirin also helps with the metabolic syndrome (it makes you more susceptible to heart problems, which may be linked to an inflammatory process, so the aspirin can nip the inflammatory process in the bud).
Saw my primary doc this evening and showed her the study from PubMed about Metformin having a protective action against BC occurrence or recurrence as well as treating the metabolic syndrome. She wrote me a script for the Metformin, but asked me to run it past my onc (I see him next week) before I fill it. I also told her I wanted a few months vacation from my Aromasin due to the SEs and she thought that was reasonable. I'll discuss it with the onc, too, but I've made my mind up to stop the Aromasin for 3 months to work on correcting the metabolic syndrome (plus my joints HURT, esp. my hands and fingers). We'll revisit the Aromasin issue in March.
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