Abstract
Metformin is the most widely used antidiabetic drug in the world, and there is increasing evidence of a potential efficacy of this agent as an anticancer drug. First, epidemiological studies show a decrease in cancer incidence in metformin-treated patients. Second, metformin decreases insulin resistance and indirectly reduces insulin level, a beneficial effect because insulin promotes cancer cell growth. Third, several reports outline a direct inhibitory effect of metformin on cancer cell growth and an antitumoral action. Finally, metformin activates the AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, a major sensor of the energetic status of the cell, which has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target in cancer.
Publication types
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Evaluation Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adenylate Kinase / metabolism
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Adenylate Kinase / physiology
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
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Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology
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Medical Oncology / trends
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Metformin / pharmacology
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Metformin / therapeutic use*
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Models, Biological
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Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology
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TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Metformin
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MTOR protein, human
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
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TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
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Adenylate Kinase