An epigenetic aging analysis of randomized metformin and weight loss interventions in overweight postmenopausal breast cancer survivors

• Authors: Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, Emory University; Felicia Fei-L Chung, International Agency for Research on Cancer; Lars Van der Laan, University of California Berkeley; Alexei Novoloaca, International Agency for Research on Cancer; Cyrille Cuenin, International Agency for Research on Cancer; Harriet Johansson, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS; Bernardo Bonanni, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS; Alan E Hubbard, University of California Berkeley; Martyn T Smith, University of California Berkeley; SheriJ Hartman, University of California San Diego; Andres Cardenas, University of California Berkeley; Dorothy D Sears, Arizona State University; Zdenko Herceg, International Agency for Research on Cancer
• Journal Title: CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
• Volume: Volume 13, Number 1
• Publisher: BMC | 2021-12-01, Pages 224-224
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-021-01218-y
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Oncology; Genetics & Heredity; RCT; DNA methylation age; Biomarkers; GrimAge; PhenoAge

Abstract

Metformin and weight loss relationships with epigenetic age measures—biological aging biomarkers—remain understudied. We performed a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial among overweight/obese breast cancer survivors (N = 192) assigned to metformin, placebo, weight loss with metformin, or weight loss with placebo interventions for 6 months. Epigenetic age was correlated with chronological age (r = 0.20–0.86; P < 0.005). However, no significant epigenetic aging associations were observed by intervention arms. Consistent with published reports in non-cancer patients, 6 months of metformin therapy may be inadequate to observe expected epigenetic age deceleration. Longer duration studies are needed to better characterize these relationships. Trial Registration: Registry Name: ClincialTrials.Gov. Registration Number: NCT01302379. Date of Registration: February 2011. URL:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01302379.