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Repurposing glucose-lowering drugs for cancer therapy
Michaela Luconi1, Giulia Cantini1, Clara Crescioli2
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini, 6 -, 50139, Florence, Italy.
Trends in Cancer
|May 15, 2025
Summary
Glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) show promise in cancer therapy by regulating metabolism. This review explores metformin, rosiglitazone, GLP-1RAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors for their anticancer potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The link between cancer and metabolism is a key therapeutic target.
- Glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) offer a novel approach to cancer treatment by modulating cellular and systemic metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the anticancer therapeutic potential of major antidiabetic drug classes.
- To explore the mechanisms, benefits, limitations, and clinical evidence of GLDs in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro and clinical evidence for metformin, rosiglitazone, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), and sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.
- Analysis of drug actions as monotherapy or adjuncts to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Metformin, rosiglitazone, GLP-1RAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors exhibit emerging anticancer effects.
- These drugs demonstrate multifaceted actions, including in vitro and clinical evidence supporting their use in various cancer contexts.
Conclusions:
- GLDs possess significant therapeutic potential in oncology.
- Further investigation into the unconventional mechanisms and clinical application of these drugs in cancer treatment is warranted.
Keywords:
GLDsanticancercell metabolism rewiringdrug repurposingimmune responsetumor microenvironmentMore Related Videos
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