Effect of different doses of metformin on serum testosterone and insulin in non-diabetic women with breast cancer: A randomized study

Carlo Campagnoli, Patrizia Pasanisi, Chiara Abbà, Simona Ambroggio, Nicoletta Biglia, Tiziana Brucato, Raffaella Colombero, Saverio Danese, Michela Donadio, Elisabetta Venturelli, Gianna Zito, Franco Berrino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Serum levels of insulin and testosterone may affect both breast cancer (BC) incidence and prognosis. Metformin reduces hyperglycemia and insulin levels in patients with diabetes. In women without diabetes and with polycystic ovary syndrome, metformin lowers both insulin and testosterone levels. Patients with diabetes who are treated with metformin showed a lower risk of cancer; a protective effect of metformin also was observed for BC. Recently, studies on metformin use for prevention or treatment of BC have been proposed in patients who are not diabetic. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of different doses of metformin on serum levels of insulin and testosterone in those postmenopausal patients with breast cancer and without diabetes who have basal testosterone levels

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-182
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Breast Cancer
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Insulin
  • Metformin
  • Randomized trial
  • Testosterone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cancer Research
  • Oncology

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