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Hi Don et a,
Please accept my apology for the no show of late. Sadly we have had a breavement in our family. I should be back on deck again in a few weeks.
best wishes,
john
p.s. the yana database analysis is well underway. It should make for some very lively discussion.
Re: A Layman's Perspective on the Use of Metformin in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
This discussion began as an affirmation of the use of metformin. I have since learned not everyone is convinced of its value. In response to my journal entry (see the first posting on this thread), Mike Scott,one of my trusted advisors, responded as follows:
"In contrast to Dr. Myers views, however, there was a report just a few months ago based on a meta-analysis of data from nearly 1,000 patients, all of whom had a history of treatment with metformin and all of whom were newly diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer between April 1, 1998 and December 31, 2009, suggesting no benefit whatsoever from their use of metformin before or after diagnosis with prostate cancer.
Indeed,in that study (see here) a cumulative duration of treatment (before and after diagnosis with prostate cancer) with metformin of ≥ 938 days was actually associated with a roughly threefold increase in risk for prostate cancer-specific mortality.
In all honesty, until we have some data from a large, well-conducted, randomized trial, I think the jury is out on whether metformin has any meaningful clinical benefit in the management of prostate cancer."
I sent "Iron Mike's comments to Dr. Myers who weighed in as follows:
"THAT STUDY IS A POPULATION-BASED STUDY AND AS SUCH PROBABLY NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT IS WRITTEN ON. WE HAVE A PHASE 2 TRIAL SHOWNG A RESPONSE RATE CLOSE TO THAT OF TAXOTERE".
For the record: I will continue following Dr. Myers' protocol until I see convincing evidence that it is more harmful than helpful.
