Metformin: exploring its potential as an anticancer drug

Abstract

Metformin is a commonly used hypoglycemic agent that has received much attention in recent years for its potential in cancer therapy. This paper reviews and concludes the anti-cancer mechanisms of metformin and its clinical applications in different cancer types. It was found that metformin indirectly inhibits cancer cell growth by activating AMPK and inhibiting the mTOR pathway and decreasing insulin and IGF-1 levels. In addition, metformin directly inhibits cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and autophagy. Clinical data suggest that metformin significantly improves survival and reduces cancer recurrence in patients with gastric, renal, endometrial and esophageal cancers. However, despite the preliminary evidence provided by existing studies, discrepancies remain between the results of different studies, and further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate its anticancer effects and optimize application strategies. Future studies should focus on clarifying the specific mechanism of action of metformin and its potential application prospect in individualized therapy.