Metformin: a new option in cancer treatment

Metformin is a biguanine, the most widely used antidiabetic drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some studies suggest that metformin decreases the incidence of cancer and cancer-related mortality in diabetic patients. Metformin activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, a major sensor of the energy status of the cell and an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) catalytic activity, inducing a decrease in blood glucose by decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and stimulating glucose uptake in the muscle. Some preclinical data supports the inhibition of tumour cancer cell growth associated with mTOR inhibition and a decrease in phosphorylation of S6K, rpS6 and 4E-BP1. Here we have summarised some of the preclinical data and data of many clinical trials that are exploring the true value of metformin for cancer patients, mainly breast and prostate cancer.