"Among nonsmokers who had diabetes those who took the diabetes drug metformin had a decrease in lung cancer risk according to a study in Cancer Prevention Research a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research by Lori Sakoda PhD MPH research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland California.  Some laboratory studies and a number of observational studies suggest that metformin may prevent cancer but the data from human studies however are conflicting explained Sakoda. The researchers conducted this study to further clarify the association between metformin use and lung cancer risk. Sakoda and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study of  diabetic patients  percent men  years or older who completed a healthrelated survey between  and . Information on their diabetes medications was collected from electronic pharmacy records. About  percent of them were everusers of metformin defined as those who filled two or more prescriptions within a sixmonth period. During  years of followup  patients were diagnosed with lung cancer. Of them  were nonsmokers and  were current smokers. Metformin use was not associated with lower lung cancer risk overall however the risk was  percent lower among diabetic patients who had never smoked and the risk appeared to decrease with longer use. Nonsmokers who used metformin for five years or longer had a  percent reduction in lung cancer risk but this finding was not statistically significant. Metformin use for five or more years was associated with a  percent decrease in the risk for adenocarcinoma the most common type of lung cancer diagnosed in nonsmokers and an  percent increase in the risk for smallcell carcinoma a type of lung cancer often diagnosed in smokers but neither of these findings were statistically significant. In an interview Sakoda said Metformin use was not associated with lung cancer risk when we looked at all patients with diabetes. However our results suggest that risk might differ by smoking history with metformin decreasing risk among nonsmokers and increasing risk among current smokers. Our results suggesting that the risk associated with metformin might differ by smoking history were unexpected. Additional large wellconducted studies are needed to clarify whether metformin may be used to prevent lung or other cancers particularly in specific subpopulations such as nonsmokers. This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Sakoda declares no conflicts of interest. Assiamira Ferrara Charles Quesenberry Jr. and Laurel Habel coauthors on this study have received research funding from Takeda to Kaiser Foundation Research Institute for a study of pioglitazone and cancer and from Sanofi through a subcontract from University of North Carolina to Kaiser Foundation Research Institute for a study of insulin glargine and cancer. Habel has received additional research funding from Genentech to Kaiser Foundation Research Institute for a study of HERpositive breast cancer including risk of cardiotoxicity following trastuzumab. Follow us Cancer Research Catalyst httpblog.aacr.org Twitter AACR and Facebook http For AACR information visit Fast Facts  About the American Association for Cancer Research  Founded in  the American Association for Cancer Research AACR is the worlds oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than  laboratory translational and clinical researchers population scientists other health care professionals and cancer advocates residing in  countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention biology diagnosis and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than  conferences and educational workshops the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with over  attendees. In addition the AACR publishes eight peerreviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors patients and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer the AACR provides expert peer review grants administration and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants in cancer research that have the potential for nearterm patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR visit http"