Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies
07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

20.0K

Mechanisms of metformin inhibiting cancer invasion and migration

Yong Chang Chen1,2, He Li1, Jing Wang1

  • 1Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research Center, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.

American Journal of Translational Research
|October 12, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug, shows potential in preventing and treating cancer by inhibiting cancer invasion and metastasis. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm its anti-cancer effects.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis is a primary cause of cancer-related deaths globally.
  • Metformin, a widely used type 2 diabetes medication, has demonstrated potential anti-cancer properties.
  • Evidence suggests metformin can inhibit cancer invasion and metastasis, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which metformin inhibits cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • To consolidate current understanding of metformin's anti-cancer role in metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating metformin's effects on cancer invasion and metastasis.
  • Analysis of proposed molecular pathways involved in metformin's action.
  • Summary of findings related to AMPK and EMT signaling pathways, and epigenetic modifications.

Main Results:

  • Metformin exhibits inhibitory effects on cancer invasion and metastasis through various pathways.
  • Key mechanisms include modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway.
  • Epigenetic modifications are also implicated in metformin's anti-metastatic actions.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin demonstrates significant potential as an anti-cancer agent, particularly in combating metastasis.
  • Understanding these mechanisms provides a basis for further therapeutic development.
  • Further clinical trials are essential to validate metformin's efficacy in inhibiting cancer invasion and metastasis in human patients.
Keywords:
Metformincancerinvasionmigration

More Related Videos

Real-Time Quantitative Measurement of Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion Following Synthetic mRNA Transfection11:00

Real-Time Quantitative Measurement of Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion Following Synthetic mRNA Transfection

Published on: June 23, 2023

2.0K
A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion06:36

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: April 24, 2015

11.2K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
3.0K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.2K
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
5.4K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
6.6K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
498
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.5K