title: Metformin: A Novel but Controversial Drug in Cancer Prevention and Treatment.
abstract: Metformin, a biguanide derivative that is widely used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, has recently been shown to exert potential anticancer effects. Many retrospective data and laboratory studies suggest the idea that metformin has antineoplastic activity, but some other studies reach conflicting conclusions. Although the precise molecular mechanisms by which metformin affects various cancers have not been fully elucidated, activation of AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent pathways along with energy metabolism aberration, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis or autophagy induction have emerged as crucial regulators in this process. In this Review, we describe the role of metformin in the prevention and treatment of a variety of cancers and summarize the molecular mechanisms that are currently well documented in the ability of metformin as an anticancer agent. In addition, the scientific and clinical hurdles regarding the potential role of metformin in cancer will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.|Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xinbing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yinghua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.|Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.|Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.|Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hongming
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University , 310027 Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Mang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin
keywords: AMPK; cancer; metformin; prevention; therapy