By looking at data contained in 29 separate trials, the Cochrane Review Authors concluded that metformin works well as a single-drug therapy for many people with type 2 diabetes. In addition to helping control diabetes, people who were overweight, had type 2 diabetics and were on intensive metformin were also less likely to be affected by stroke, heart attacks, and are less likely to die.

The authors could not compare metformin with newer drugs, because trials of more recently available drugs such as new sulphonylureas, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides and alpha glucosidase inhibitors did not show any direct comparisons with metformin for these primary outcomes.

They could, however, determine that metformin was as good as, or better than these other drugs at controlling blood glucose and lipids, and body weight.

"Our review of literature suggests that metformin is a good first line therapy for overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes," says lead author Antonio Saenz, who works as a family physician in Madrid, Spain.

Review Title: Saenz et al: Metformin monotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005 Issue 3

Bisphosphonates - a successful treatment for metastatic bone disease associated with breast cancer

Secondary tumours in bone cause a lot of pain and tissue damage in half the women who have advanced breast cancer, but bisphosphonates can reduce the risk of bone disease in women already undergoing cancer therapy.

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in women. In these women, bone is the most common site for secondary tumours to take hold and develop. In healthy bones, the structure is constantly being broken down and rebuilt, but bone tumours influence the rate and balance of this cycle. Bisphosphonates slow th
'"/>

Contact: Amy Molnar
amolnar@wiley.com
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
20-Jul-2005