title: Therapeutic effects of metformin in breast cancer: involvement of the immune system?
abstract: Breast cancer and associated diabetes mellitus have gained raising interest as an elevated risk of breast cancer prognosis resulting in increased mortality in diabetic patients. In this context, the long-acting insulin analog glargine and other antidiabetics have been discussed to promote tumorigenesis. In contrast, the biguanide class oral antidiabetic metformin has been shown capable of enhancing cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis as well as reducing growth factor signaling. Consequently, several studies are underway to evaluate a possible role of metformin in breast cancer treatment. Although mechanisms involved are not definitely clear yet, here, we discuss metformin's anticancer effects including the potential impact of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Center of Tumor Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Voßstraße 9, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schott
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bierhaus
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuetz
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beckhove
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneeweiss
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domschke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D008687:Metformin