Latest news with #HolliLoomans-Kropp
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This 20-cent drug lowers colon cancer risk — and may even help treat it: study
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' may do more than manage blood sugar. Researchers are investigating whether a widely used diabetes medication could aid in the fight against colorectal cancer after the disease strikes. Scientists are cautiously optimistic that this decades-old pill could provide a new lifeline to the 150,000 Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year — a growing number of whom are under 50. Advertisement 4 Colon cancer rates have been rising among young Americans. New Africa – What is this 'wonder drug'? Metformin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs on the planet. An estimated 200 million people worldwide take it daily, primarily to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes, according to UCHealth. It's best known for its ability to improve how the body handles insulin, helping lower blood sugar levels — but it's often hailed as a 'wonder drug' by doctors for having many other benefits, including treating fertility issues and PCOS. Studies show that it may also combat obesity, provide anti-aging effects, and protect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It might even have anti-cancer properties. Advertisement The metformin-cancer connection Previous research indicates that metformin could offer a protective effect against the development of colon cancer. For instance, a meta-analysis of 58 studies found that metformin use was associated with a 37% lower risk of developing the disease compared to type 2 diabetes patients who didn't take the drug. Now, researchers at The Ohio State University are diving deeper, exploring whether metformin could be used in treatment plans once colon cancer has already developed. Advertisement 'Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy,' Holli Loomans-Kropp, the lead researcher, told Business Insider. 'We're opening up some doors to what this could do.' 4 Metformin is a genetic, off-patent medication commonly prescribed for diabetes. Getty Images Cheap drug, big potential Presented last week at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago, the ongoing study focuses on how metformin interacts with colon cancer cells that are particularly difficult to treat. Advertisement Early lab tests suggest that metformin has the potential to slow the growth of cancer cells. Researchers believe this could be connected to how the drug functions in diabetics. Metformin regulates glucose production and triggers a 'cleanup process' that helps eliminate damaged cells — an energy shift that may make it harder for colon cancer cells to develop. 'If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit,' Loomans-Kropp said. 4 Metformin helps lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Halfpoint – Scientists noted that while metformin doesn't seem potent enough to treat colon cancer on its own, it could eventually be used to enhance other, more aggressive therapies. An added bonus: Metformin is generally well tolerated and boasts a safety record that spans more than 60 years, according to Healthline. When side effects do occur, they're typically gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Advertisement The drug can also reduce vitamin B12 absorption and slightly increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition where the blood becomes too acidic. Another perk? It's an off-patent, generic drug that costs just 10 to 20 cents per pill, making it widely accessible — even for patients without insurance. 4 Colon cancer symptoms include bowel changes, blood in stool and abdominal pain. 9nong – The road ahead The ongoing study by researchers at The Ohio State University is still in its early stages. Advertisement Loomans-Kropp told Business Insider that if initial results from cancer cell tests are promising, she hopes to begin testing metformin as a colon cancer treatment on animals within the next year. Colon cancer is widely considered a pressing public health concern, as it's one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. While the overall incidence has been dropping, particularly among older adults, there has been a troubling rise in cases and deaths among younger people in recent years. In fact, colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in American men under 50 and the second leading cause for women in the same age group.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Big development in medical science: This cheap and the most popular diabetes drug used worldwide could help fight colon cancer
A popular, inexpensive diabetes medication might have a strong new use. Scientists are now investigating a 20-cent wonder drug, metformin 's potential to aid in the combat against colon cancer, and the early findings are encouraging. #Operation Sindoor Live Updates| From Sindoor to showdown? Track Indo-Pak conflict as it unfolds India hits Lahore's Air Defence Radars in proportionate response Pakistan tried to hit military targets in these 15 Indian cities, New Delhi thwarts strikes This surprising turn of events may be a turning point, particularly since the drug is already widely used and fairly affordable. Experts are cautiously optimistic as the research continues. Although not a cure on its own, initial research indicates that it can enhance other treatments, especially for hard-to-treat cancers. The drug's safety profile and low cost make it a good choice. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Researchers who gave presentations at last week's American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago are examining the interactions between metformin, the most widely used diabetes drug globally, and difficult-to-treat colon cancer cells. They are still in the early stages of their research, as per a report by Business Insider. Holli Loomans-Kropp, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University who is spearheading the ongoing study, claimed that metformin "seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy." "We're opening up some doors to what this could do, as quoted in a report by Business Insider. Live Events How does metformin affect colon cancer cells? According to earlier studies, colon cancer rates are lower among diabetics taking metformin, which may indicate that the medication is taking some preventative action against the development of cancer. One of the first studies to examine whether metformin may actually combat colon cancer cells after the disease has progressed is this new one. According to what Loomans-Kropp and her colleagues have observed thus far in cell-culture dishes, metformin may eventually prove to be a useful "supplement" to specific cancer treatment plans. It could be used in conjunction with other treatments, but it wouldn't be strong enough to treat cancer on its own. The drug's potential to treat a common type of colon cancer that is often difficult to treat due to a mutated KRAS gene excites Loomans-Kropp. Before human clinical trials can start, more animal testing is necessary, so her research is still in its early phases. Why are researchers optimistic about metformin's potential? The fact that metformin is a medication that is already widely available and reasonably priced makes it a practical choice for treating colon cancer, according to Loomans-Kropp. Millions of people around the world have studied and taken metformin, which is inexpensive as an off-patent generic medication that costs 10 to 20 cents per pill. Because it controls how the body uses energy and promotes autophagy, which enables the body to break down old and damaged cells, some scientists think it may have potential as an antiaging medication. According to Loomans-Kropp, metformin may also prevent colon cancer cells from utilising energy for growth and development. What's next in the study before human trials begin? Metformin as a disease prevention tool excites longitudinal researchers. Metformin may be a "suitable" option for cancer prevention, according to Dr. Nir Barzilai, a renowned longevity researcher who believes the medication may be helpful for healthy ageing. Within a year, she can start testing metformin as a treatment for colon cancer in animals if these preliminary cancer cell results are positive. FAQs Does metformin cure colon cancer? No, but it may supplement other treatments, particularly for aggressive forms of the disease. Why is metformin being considered as a cancer treatment? As it alters how cells use energy, it may slow cancer growth; additionally, it is inexpensive and already widely used.
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' is being studied as a colon-cancer-fighting supplement, and it looks promising
A cheap, widely prescribed diabetes drug that some doctors have called a "wonder drug" may hold promise as a colon-cancer -fighting supplement. Scientists who presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago last week are studying how metformin — the most popular diabetes medication worldwide — interacts with tough-to-treat colon cancer cells. Their research is still early and ongoing. "Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy," Holli Loomans-Kropp, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University, who is leading the ongoing study, told Business Insider. "We're opening up some doors to what this could do." Previous research found that people taking metformin for diabetes have lower colon cancer rates, suggesting the drug may be doing something protective to help prevent cancer from developing. This new study is one of the first to look at whether metformin could actually fight colon cancer cells once the disease develops. Based on what Loomans-Kropp and her team have seen so far in cell-culture dishes, metformin could become a helpful "supplement" to certain cancer treatment regimens in the future. It wouldn't be potent enough to treat cancer on its own, but could be used alongside other treatments. Loomans-Kropp is especially excited about the drug's potential in treating a common type of colon cancer caused by a mutated KRAS gene, which tends to be very tough to treat. Her research is still in the early stages; further animal testing is required before human clinical trials can begin. A drug that changes how the body uses energy One of the big benefits Loomans-Kropp sees to studying metformin for colon cancer treatment is a practical one — it's a drug that's already widely accessible and affordable. "I always like to ask the question: Are there medications or agents that we already know, that are already used, that we have safety/toxicity profiles for, that we can then repurpose for something else?" Metformin has been studied and used by millions of patients worldwide. And as an off-patent, generic drug, it's cheap — it costs 10 to 20 cents per pill. It's sometimes referred to as a " wonder drug" by doctors for its beneficial effects outside blood-sugar control. Scientists have studied it for heart health, cancer prevention, and dementia. Metformin works for diabetes because it changes the way the body processes and produces sugar. Some scientists believe it may hold promise as an antiaging drug. Like exercise or fasting, metformin regulates how the body uses energy and encourages autophagy, a process that allows the body to process old and damaged cells. Loomans-Kropp hopes that metformin could also inhibit colon cancer cells from using energy to grow and develop. "If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit," Loomans-Kropp said. The same energy-shifting mechanism has longevity researchers excited about metformin as a tool for disease prevention. Dr. Nir Barzilai, a leading longevity researcher who suspects metformin may be beneficial for healthy aging, said metformin may be a "suitable" option for cancer prevention. When it comes to fighting cancer, he agrees with Loomans-Kropp that more study is needed. "Let the science lead," he told Business Insider in an email. Loomans-Kropp is hoping that if these initial cancer cell results are successful, she can begin testing metformin as colon cancer treatment on animals within a year.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' is being studied as a colon cancer-stopping supplement, and it looks promising
Metformin is the most widely prescribed diabetes drug in the world. Scientists have noticed that people who take it may also get some colon cancer prevention benefits. Early research gives hints about how it might be used to help in colon cancer treatment. A cheap, widely-prescribed diabetes drug that some doctors have called a "wonder drug" may hold promise as a colon-cancer-stopping supplement. Scientists who presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago last week are studying how metformin — the most popular diabetes medication worldwide — interacts with tough-to-treat colon cancer cells. Their research is still early and ongoing. "Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy," Holli Loomans-Kropp, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University, who is leading the ongoing study, told Business Insider. "We're opening up some doors to what this could do." Previous research has highlighted how people taking metformin for diabetes have lower colon cancer rates, suggesting the drug may be doing something protective to help prevent cancer from developing. This new study is one of the first to look at whether metformin can actually fight back against colon cancer cells once the disease develops. Based on what Loomans-Kropp and her team have seen so far in cell culture dishes, metformin looks like it could become a helpful "supplement" to certain cancer treatment regimens in the future. It wouldn't be potent enough to treat cancer on its own, but could be used alongside other treatments. She is especially excited about what it might do for a common type of colon cancer with a mutated KRAS gene, which tends to be very tough to treat. Her work, if successful, would require additional positive results in animals and then in people to become a prescription that oncologists can reliably use in the clinic. A drug that changes how the body uses energy Metformin stimulates a key cellular cleanup process called autophagy. Exercise can also induce autophagy, but in a slightly different of the big benefits Loomans-Kropp sees to studying metformin for colon cancer treatment is a practical one — it's a drug that's already widely accessible and affordable. "I always like to ask the question: are there medications or agents that we already know, that are already used, that we have safety/toxicity profiles for, that we can then repurpose for something else?" Metformin has been studied and used by millions of patients worldwide. And it's cheap — an off-patent, generic drug that costs about 10 to 20 cents per pill. It's sometimes referred to as a "wonder drug" by doctors for the beneficial effects it may have on patients who take it, beyond blood sugar control. Scientists have studied it for heart health, cancer prevention, and dementia. Metformin works for diabetes because it changes the way the body processes and produces sugar. Some scientists suspect it may hold promise for improving aging for a similar reason: because it regulates how the body uses energy, and encourages more self-eating (autophagy), much like exercise or fasting. Perhaps metformin could also inhibit the ways that colon cancer finds energy to grow and develop. "If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit," Loomans-Kropp said. It's this same energy-shifting mechanism that has longevity researchers excited about metformin as a tool for disease prevention. Dr. Nir Barzilai, a leading longevity researcher who suspects metformin may be beneficial for healthy aging, says he thinks metformin may be a "suitable" option for cancer prevention. When it comes to fighting cancer, he agrees with Loomans-Kropp that more study is needed. "Let the science lead," he told Business Insider in an email. Loomans-Kropp is hoping that if these initial cancer cell results are successful, she can begin testing metformin as colon cancer treatment on animals within a year. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' is being studied as a colon cancer-stopping supplement, and it looks promising
A cheap, widely-prescribed diabetes drug that some doctors have called a "wonder drug" may hold promise as a colon-cancer -stopping supplement. Scientists who presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago last week are studying how metformin — the most popular diabetes medication worldwide — interacts with tough-to-treat colon cancer cells. Their research is still early and ongoing. "Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy," Holli Loomans-Kropp, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University, who is leading the ongoing study, told Business Insider. "We're opening up some doors to what this could do." Previous research has highlighted how people taking metformin for diabetes have lower colon cancer rates, suggesting the drug may be doing something protective to help prevent cancer from developing. This new study is one of the first to look at whether metformin can actually fight back against colon cancer cells once the disease develops. Based on what Loomans-Kropp and her team have seen so far in cell culture dishes, metformin looks like it could become a helpful "supplement" to certain cancer treatment regimens in the future. It wouldn't be potent enough to treat cancer on its own, but could be used alongside other treatments. She is especially excited about what it might do for a common type of colon cancer with a mutated KRAS gene, which tends to be very tough to treat. Her work, if successful, would require additional positive results in animals and then in people to become a prescription that oncologists can reliably use in the clinic. A drug that changes how the body uses energy One of the big benefits Loomans-Kropp sees to studying metformin for colon cancer treatment is a practical one — it's a drug that's already widely accessible and affordable. "I always like to ask the question: are there medications or agents that we already know, that are already used, that we have safety/toxicity profiles for, that we can then repurpose for something else?" Metformin has been studied and used by millions of patients worldwide. And it's cheap — an off-patent, generic drug that costs about 10 to 20 cents per pill. It's sometimes referred to as a " wonder drug" by doctors for the beneficial effects it may have on patients who take it, beyond blood sugar control. Scientists have studied it for heart health, cancer prevention, and dementia. Metformin works for diabetes because it changes the way the body processes and produces sugar. Some scientists suspect it may hold promise for improving aging for a similar reason: because it regulates how the body uses energy, and encourages more self-eating (autophagy), much like exercise or fasting. Perhaps metformin could also inhibit the ways that colon cancer finds energy to grow and develop. "If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit," Loomans-Kropp said. It's this same energy-shifting mechanism that has longevity researchers excited about metformin as a tool for disease prevention. Dr. Nir Barzilai, a leading longevity researcher who suspects metformin may be beneficial for healthy aging, says he thinks metformin may be a "suitable" option for cancer prevention. When it comes to fighting cancer, he agrees with Loomans-Kropp that more study is needed. "Let the science lead," he told Business Insider in an email. Loomans-Kropp is hoping that if these initial cancer cell results are successful, she can begin testing metformin as colon cancer treatment on animals within a year.
