Diabetes Drug Metformin May Mimic Exercise Benefits for Prostate Cancer Patients

Study finds metformin raises levels of molecule linked to energy balance, weight control in men undergoing cancer treatment

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:51am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the intricate internal structures and energy pathways of a human prostate gland, conceptually representing the metabolic effects of the diabetes drug metformin on cancer patients.An X-ray view of the prostate gland reveals the intricate metabolic pathways that may be influenced by the diabetes drug metformin in cancer patients.Today in Miami

A new study led by researchers at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that the diabetes drug metformin may mimic some of the metabolic benefits of exercise in prostate cancer patients. The researchers report that metformin raises levels of a molecule called Lac-Phe, which is typically associated with intense physical activity and linked to improved energy balance and weight control. This effect was observed even in patients who were not actively exercising, suggesting metformin could help counter the metabolic strain of cancer treatments that limit physical activity.

Why it matters

Exercise is known to provide important metabolic benefits for cancer patients, but many struggle to maintain regular physical activity due to treatment side effects, fatigue, or advanced disease. The finding that metformin may activate some of the same biological pathways as exercise could offer an alternative way to support metabolic health when movement is limited, potentially improving how patients tolerate and recover from cancer therapies.

The details

The study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, focused on the molecule Lac-Phe, which forms when lactate combines with the amino acid phenylalanine. Lac-Phe levels typically spike after intense exercise, coinciding with shifts in energy use and appetite regulation. Researchers observed that metformin also raised Lac-Phe levels in prostate cancer patients, even when they were not exercising. This metabolic signal mirrored what is usually seen after strenuous physical activity, suggesting metformin may be able to activate some of the same beneficial pathways. However, higher Lac-Phe levels were not associated with anti-tumor response to metformin, indicating the metabolite may reflect broader effects on energy management rather than direct anti-cancer efficacy.

  • The study was published on April 10, 2026.

The players

Marijo Bilusic

Genitourinary medical oncologist and professor of medicine and medical oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and first author of the study.

Priyamvada Rai

Co-leader of the Tumor Biology Program and professor of radiation oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

David B. Lombard

Co-leader of the Cancer Epigenetics Program and professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

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What they’re saying

“This study reflects what's possible when laboratory science, metabolic biology and clinical investigation are intentionally brought together for transdisciplinary studies.”

— Marijo Bilusic, Genitourinary medical oncologist and professor of medicine and medical oncology

“Cancer therapy often affects the body in ways that go beyond the tumor. Supporting metabolic health can influence how patients tolerate treatment and how they feel over time, even if it doesn't directly change tumor growth.”

— Priyamvada Rai, Co-leader, Tumor Biology Program and professor of radiation oncology

“Metabolism is involved in everything cells do. These findings suggest Lac-Phe may be a very informative signal for understanding how metformin affects metabolism in prostate cancer patients.”

— David B. Lombard, Co-leader, Cancer Epigenetics Program and professor of pathology and laboratory medicine

What’s next

The researchers plan to conduct further studies to determine if Lac-Phe could be a useful biomarker for monitoring the metabolic effects of metformin and other cancer therapies.

The takeaway

This study suggests metformin may be able to activate some of the same beneficial metabolic pathways as exercise, offering a potential way to support patient health and resilience when physical activity is limited during cancer treatment. By better understanding how cancer therapies affect metabolism, researchers hope to identify strategies to help patients maintain strength, energy, and quality of life throughout their care.