The Use of Metformin in Early Breast Cancer Patients Pre-Surgery

The Use of Metformin in Early Breast Cancer Patients Pre-Surgery: A Phase 0 Study Regarding The Biological Effect

The study will test metformin in patients with early breast cancer. Blood and tissue will be collected before and after the use of metformin.

Patients will take metformin twice a day for 3 weeks before surgery. The hypothesis is that metformin will reduce cell proliferation rates (Ki67) and increase apoptoses (TUNEL)in tumor tissue.

The study will collect and analyze pre- and post-treatment blood specimens for:

• Serum glucose
• Insulin levels
• Estradiol
• HOMA test
• Glycosylated haemoglobin

Inclusion Criteria:

• Invasive breast cancer T1 or T2, Nx
• Knowledge of the investigational nature of the study and ability to provide consent for study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes or baseline glucose or Glycosylated haemoglobin upper limit of normal for the institution
• Recent use of corticosteroids
• AST > 1.5 times upper limit of normal for the institution
• Pregnancy
• Serious clinical illness
• Prior or concurrent systemic neoadjuvant Breast Cancer therapy.