Metformin is widely used to manage type 2 diabetes, but recent research suggests it may have another surprising benefit—it could help the body fight cancer. Scientists at the University of Helsinki have discovered that metformin activates immune cells, making them better at recognizing and attacking cancer cells.
The study, published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, was led by Rita Turpin and Juha Klefström. Their research focused on dendritic cells, a type of immune cell that plays a key role in identifying harmful invaders, including cancer cells.
The team found that metformin changes the way these cells produce energy, making them more active and improving their ability to trigger an immune response against cancer.
To test their theory, the scientists used patient-derived explant cultures—samples of living breast cancer tissue taken from patients. These samples included both cancer cells and immune cells, allowing researchers to see how metformin affected the interaction between them in a natural environment.
By studying these cultures, the team confirmed that metformin not only helped the immune system target cancer but also kept the immune cells functional. This is an important finding because some cancer treatments can weaken the immune system, but metformin seems to do the opposite—it strengthens immune cells while fighting cancer.
The researchers emphasized the importance of cancer patients who donate tumor samples for studies like this. Their contributions allow scientists to explore how existing drugs, like metformin, might be repurposed to improve cancer treatments.
This study opens the door to new possibilities in cancer therapy. If metformin can boost the immune response to cancer, it could be used alongside other immune-activating treatments to enhance their effectiveness.
Since metformin is already widely used for diabetes, it has a known safety profile, making it a promising candidate for further cancer research.
While more studies are needed, these findings suggest that metformin could one day be part of a new approach to cancer treatment—one that harnesses the power of the immune system to fight the disease.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
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