Anti-cancer Effects of Metformin: Recent Evidences for its Role in Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Metformin is a primary treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
• Emerging evidence suggests metformin possesses significant anti-cancer properties.
• Current understanding of metformin's anti-cancer mechanisms is limited, primarily from observational studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the anti-cancer effects of metformin.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying metformin's observed anti-cancer activities.
• To summarize metformin's impact on various cancer types.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
• Analysis of studies investigating metformin's effects on specific cancers.
• Examination of proposed molecular mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• Metformin's anti-cancer effects involve both direct (AMPK-dependent and independent) and indirect pathways (e.g., reduced glucose, insulin, IGF-1).
• Key molecular targets include Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB).
• Metformin demonstrates potential in colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, renal, cervical, endometrial, gastric, lung, breast, and ovarian cancers, and may enhance anti-cancer immune response.

Conclusions:

• Clinical trials suggest metformin is effective in preventing and treating various cancers.
• The evidence supporting metformin's role in oncology requires further validation.
• More research is necessary to fully elucidate and confirm metformin's anti-cancer potential.