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Metformin Intervention-A Panacea for Cancer Treatment?

Angelika Buczyńska1, Iwona Sidorkiewicz1, Adam Jacek Krętowski1,2

  • 1Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland.

Cancers
|March 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Metformin offers numerous health benefits, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This review highlights its potential in cancer treatment and prevention, supported by promising clinical trial data.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Oncology
  • Metabolic Disease Research

Background:

  • Metformin's molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathway influences are under investigation.
  • Metformin exhibits pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and organ-protective properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel evidence on metformin intervention, focusing on cancer treatment and prevention.
  • To summarize promising results from human trials of metformin.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing data on metformin's effects.
  • Analysis of metformin's role in various cellular contexts.

Main Results:

  • Metformin demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, otoprotective, radioprotective, and radio-sensitizing properties.
  • Key actions include inhibiting inflammation, boosting antioxidant capacity, and improving metabolic profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin's diverse actions make it a promising candidate for cancer therapy and prevention.
  • Clinical trial data supports metformin's translation into human cancer treatment protocols.
Keywords:
anti-cancerantioxidantmetformin

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