title: Cancer and aging: more puzzles, more promises?
abstract: In this issue of Cell Cycle, a new paper shows that metformin, an oral antidiabetic drug that activates AMP-activated protein kinase, prolongs both mean and maximal life span and prevents reproductive aging of female mice. Unexpectedly, metformin did not decrease the incidence of cancer in this mice strain. Here, we discuss the relationship between aging and cancer, the mechanism of metformin action, and the prospects of using this compound for life span extension in humans.
authors: Mikhail V
authors: MV
authors: Blagosklonny
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Campisi
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases