title: Metformin against cancer stem cells through the modulation of energy metabolism: special considerations on ovarian cancer.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy among women worldwide and is presumed to result from the presence of ovarian cancer stem cells. To overcome the limitation of current anticancer agents, another anticancer strategy is necessary to effectively target cancer stem cells in ovarian cancer. In many types of malignancies, including ovarian cancer, metformin, one of the most popular antidiabetic drugs, has been demonstrated to exhibit chemopreventive and anticancer efficacy with respect to incidence and overall survival rates. Thus, the metabolic reprogramming of cancer and cancer stem cells driven by genetic alterations during carcinogenesis and cancer progression could be therapeutically targeted. In this review, the potential efficacy and anticancer mechanisms of metformin against ovarian cancer stem cells will be discussed.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 139-706, Republic of Korea.
authors: Tae Hun
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dong Hoon
authors: DH
authors: Suh
authors: Biomedical Science Project, Brain Korea 21 Program for Leading Universities & Students, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea.
authors: Mi-Kyung
authors: MK
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea ; Major in Biomodulation, World Class University, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yong Sang
authors: YS
authors: Song
mesh_terms: D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008954:Models, Biological; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008687:Metformin