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Metformin and cancer: new applications for an old drug

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Abstract

Metformin, one of most widely prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents, has recently received increased attention because of its potential antitumorigenic effects that are thought to be independent of its hypoglycemic effects. Several potential mechanisms have been suggested for the ability of metformin to suppress cancer growth in vitro and vivo: (1) activation of LKB1/AMPK pathway, (2) induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis, (3) inhibition of protein synthesis, (4) reduction in circulating insulin levels, (5) inhibition of the unfolded protein response (UPR), (6) activation of the immune system, and (7) eradication of cancer stem cells. There is also a growing number of evidence, mostly in the form of retrospective clinical studies that suggest that metformin may be associated with a decreased risk of developing cancer and with a better response to chemotherapy. There are currently several ongoing randomized clinical trials that incorporate metformin as an adjuvant to classic chemotherapy and aim to evaluate its potential benefits in this setting. This review highlights basic aspects of the molecular biology of metformin and summarizes new advances in basic science as well as intriguing results from recent clinical studies.

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

    Taxiarchis V. Kourelis

  2. Division of Medical Oncology, Hartford Hospital, Cancer Clinical Research Office, 85 Retreat Ave, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA

    Robert D. Siegel

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Kourelis, T.V., Siegel, R.D. Metformin and cancer: new applications for an old drug. Med Oncol 29, 1314–1327 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-011-9846-7

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