title: [Advances of the anti-tumor research of metformin].
abstract: Metformin is the most commonly prescibed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is inexpensive, safe, and efficient in ameliorating hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diabetic population is not only at increased risk of cardiovascular complications, but also at substantially higher risk of many forms of malignancies. Meanwhile, epidemiological and clinical observation studies have shown that metformin use reduces risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves prognosis and survival rate of the cancer patients. Furthermore, metformin has been used for cancer therapy in clinical trials. Thus, metformin is emerging as a new cancer therapy or adjuvant anticancer drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of metformin use and its molecular mechanism.
authors.forename: Chao-jun
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Ke-xin
authors.initials: KX
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008687:Metformin