Repurposing Breakthrough: Diabetic Drug Taken By Millions May Prevent Blood Cancer

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April 17, 2025, 6:29 AM

• •Scientists have discovered that metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, could help prevent acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
• •The discovery could open new pathways for cancer prevention and offer a life-saving option for those most vulnerable to developing this aggressive blood cancer.
• •Metformin has a long-standing safety record, having been used by millions of people worldwide with minimal side effects. Since it's already proven to be safe and well-tolerated, it could be repurposed more quickly and easily for leukemia prevention, avoiding the long and costly process of developing a new drug from scratch.

A widely used diabetes medication may offer unexpected protection against a form of blood cancer. The surprising benefit of metformin in helping to prevent acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among people at high risk of the disease has been uncovered by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The discovery could open new pathways for cancer prevention and offer a life-saving option for those most vulnerable to developing this aggressive blood cancer.

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