title: Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Risk in Diabetes: Metformin, an Actor behind the Scene.
abstract: Both diabetes and cancer are prevalent diseases whose incidence rates are increasing worldwide, especially in countries that are undergoing rapid industrialization changes. Apparently, lifestyle risk factors including diet, physical inactivity and obesity play pivotal, yet preventable, roles in the etiology of both diseases. Epidemiological studies provide strong evidence that subjects with diabetes are at significantly higher risk of developing many forms of cancer and especially solid tumors. In addition to pancreatic and breast cancer, the incidence of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer is increased in type 2 diabetes. While diabetes (type 2) and cancer share many risk factors, the biological links between the two diseases are poorly characterized. In this review, we highlight the mechanistic pathways that link diabetes to colorectal and prostate cancer and the use of Metformin, a diabetes drug, to prevent and/or treat colorectal and prostate cancer. We review the role of AMPK activation in autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression.
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha - Qatar;
authors.forename: M Akhtar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut - Lebanon and.
authors.forename: Wassim Abou
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kheir
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut - Lebanon and.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut - Lebanon and.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fares
authors.affiliation: 3. Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University.
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha - Qatar;
authors.forename: Ali H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.affiliation: 2. Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut - Lebanon and.
authors.forename: Assaad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Eid
keywords: AMPK; Colorectal Cancer; Diabetes; Metformin; Prostate Cancer; mTOR