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Metformin and cancer: new applications for an old drug

Taxiarchis V Kourelis1, Robert D Siegel

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Room L2104 MC 1235, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06103-1235, USA. taxkourel@yahoo.com

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England)
|February 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Metformin, a common diabetes drug, shows potential anti-cancer effects independent of blood sugar control. Ongoing trials investigate its role alongside chemotherapy, exploring mechanisms like immune activation and cancer stem cell eradication.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Metformin is a widely used oral hypoglycemic agent.
  • It exhibits potential antitumorigenic effects independent of its glucose-lowering properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms underlying metformin's anti-cancer effects.
  • To summarize recent advances in basic science and clinical studies regarding metformin's role in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on metformin's biological activities.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms including LKB1/AMPK pathway activation, cell cycle modulation, and immune system engagement.
  • Examination of clinical evidence from retrospective studies and ongoing randomized trials.

Main Results:

  • Metformin may suppress cancer growth via multiple pathways: LKB1/AMPK activation, apoptosis induction, protein synthesis inhibition, reduced insulin levels, UPR inhibition, immune activation, and cancer stem cell eradication.
  • Retrospective studies suggest metformin use is linked to reduced cancer risk and improved chemotherapy response.
  • Several clinical trials are evaluating metformin as an adjuvant to chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin possesses multifaceted anti-cancer properties.
  • Clinical evidence suggests a potential benefit in cancer treatment and prevention.
  • Further research through ongoing trials is crucial to confirm its therapeutic value in oncology.

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