Effects of Metformin and statins on the outcomes in men with mCRPC

This retrospective analysis investigated whether the use of metformin and statins improve the
overall survival and PSA response rate in men receiving abiraterone acetate plus
prednisone/prednisolone (AAP) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
either before or after chemotherapy.

The use of metformin was associated with prolonged overall survival and improved PSA
response rate only when it was co-administered with abiraterone acetate plus
prednisone/prednisolone (AAP). The use of statins with AAP was associated with a longer
median overall survival but observed only in the COU-AA-301 trial. Although methodologically
limited, these results add to the growing body of evidence that metformin  may prolong overall
survival and increase PSA response rate among patients with  mCRPC  treated with abiraterone
acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone (AAP). Given the relative safety of these medications,
there is considerable hope that statins and metformin may have a beneficial anti-cancer role.

However, caution is warranted. Additional prospective studies which examine the effects of
metformin and statins on outcomes in men with prostate cancer are needed.
2022 European Journal of Cancer