The Anticancer Effect of Metformin, the Most Commonly Used Anti-Diabetes Drug - Abstract
Metformin as the first line therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus has its unique attraction for its weight loss and possible macrovascular benefit. In addition, recent accumulating epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests metformin maybe a potential anticancer medication as an adjuvant therapy or a chemoprevention given the increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus in cancer patients and the low cost and safety of the drug. Metformin may work through multiple pathways to inhibit cancer cell growth and proliferation. Epidemiological and clinical data were summarized in this review. More carefully designed longer and larger randomized controlled trials in selected cancer population in the future are needed.