Researchers make ‘significant discovery' in treating prostate cancer — what it means for patients
A team of Swedish researchers has discovered that a drug traditionally meant for Type 2 diabetes shows immense promise in keeping prostate cancer at bay.
A team of Swedish researchers has discovered that a drug traditionally meant for type 2 diabetes shows promise in keeping prostate cancer at bay.
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The research — which was published in the journal Molecular Cancer — was based on studies on mice, as well as a retrospective study of 69 prostate cancer patients with type 2 diabetes, all of whom experienced a lack of cancer recurrence while using the drug.
'This is a significant discovery,' Lukas Kenner, a visiting professor at Sweden's Umeå University, said in a press release.
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'For the first time, we have clinical observations showing that prostate cancer patients with diabetes who received drugs targeting the protein [PPARy] remained relapse-free during the period we followed them.'
Pioglitazone — a common anti-diabetic drug — not only slowed down the growth of cancer cells but also hampered their ability to grow back.
'The findings are very promising, but further clinical studies are needed to both confirm the results and to investigate whether the treatment can also be used in patients with prostate cancer who do not have diabetes,' Kenner said.
It's the latest in a series of advances targeting prostate cancer — the second most common cancer among men in the US, after skin cancer.
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'This is a significant discovery,' Lukas Kenner said.
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A UCLA study found that an AI tool identified prostate cancer with 84% accuracy, compared to 67% by physicians, highlighting the potential of AI in improving diagnostic precision.
A new at-home saliva test analyzes DNA for genetic markers associated with prostate cancer, offering a more accurate alternative to traditional blood tests and aiding in earlier detection.
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And — following the shocking news that former President Joe Biden has an 'aggressive' form of prostate cancer — one Manhattan doctor is offering free PSA blood tests at his Midtown East office through the end of June.
While the overall five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is as high as 97%, studies have shown that men who avoid prostate cancer screening appointments are 45% more likely to die from the disease.
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Comite thinks the FDA crackdown is a shame. She is finding it harder and harder to source compounded liquid BPC-157. She often uses a patch form of BPC-157 on herself, placing it over sore areas or injuries. Recently, she tore a calf muscle, so she's been using it there, but she also just likes how taking a little bit of it keeps her active and moving. "I use it almost every day," she said. "It's amazing for joints and everything — at a very tiny dose." Zalzala, who doesn't usually prescribe peptides, ordered some topical BPC-157 recently when his wife had a knee injury. "My wife says it works," he said, though he cautioned that it's hard to really know if that's true without more proper research. Bracken Darrell, the CEO of VF Corporation and one of Comite's patients, is also a BPC-157 convert. A self-proclaimed "basketball nut," he's on the court about three days a week. On the days when he doesn't pick up a ball, he's out cross-training on a bike or lifting weights. 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In reality, the evidence for peptides is still murky. There are no big, randomized clinical trials like what we have for prescription drugs or vaccines. The current hype is based on anecdotal evidence, a few small human studies from decades ago, and rodent studies. "People wanna take the peptides because they're not from big pharma, they're not mainstream medicine, they gotta be better than those cockamamie doctors," Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and longevity expert, said recently on the Dax Shepard podcast. "Where's the data?" For people who are using peptides, experts shared two pieces of advice: Comite urges patients to start slow. A common mistake people who are dosing themselves make is thinking that "if a little bit is good, then a lot must be better," she said. That's not the case. "Taking mega doses of tesmorelin along with testosterone causes your organs to overgrow," Comite said. Sometimes she'll see a toned gymgoer with a potbelly, and wonder whether that's due to an enlarged liver or spleen. Darrell recommends testing your peptides with an independent lab so you know what you're getting is both real and uncontaminated. Zalzala says his company started thinking about offering peptides a few years back, due to consumer demand, but they haven't yet. There are just so many peptides out there, and it's hard to tell which might be the very best. Some of the most research-backed ways to have an impact on your longevity and fitness are still the simplest anyway: eat decent amounts of fiber and protein regularly, work out — at least a couple sessions with weights each week, and cut back (or ideally, eliminate) liquid sugar in your diet like juice and soda.
