Repositioning metformin for cancer prevention and treatment

Brendan J. Quinn; Hiroshi Kitagawa; Regan M. Memmott; Joell J. Gills; Phillip A. Dennis

doi:10.1016/j.tem.2013.05.004

Repositioning metformin for cancer prevention and treatment

Brendan J. Quinn, Hiroshi Kitagawa, Regan M. Memmott, Joell J. Gills, Phillip A. Dennis

School of Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

190 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Retrospective studies show that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk. This historical correlation has driven vigorous research campaigns to determine the anticancer mechanisms of metformin. Consolidating the preclinical data is a challenge because unanswered questions remain concerning relevant mechanisms, bioavailability, and genetic factors that confer metformin sensitivity. Perhaps the most important unanswered question is whether metformin has activity against cancer in non-diabetics. In this review we highlight the proposed mechanisms of metformin action in cancer and discuss ongoing clinical trials with metformin in cancer. Improved understanding of these issues will increase the chances for successful application of metformin as an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective anticancer agent.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	469-480
Number of pages	12
Journal	Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume	24
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2013.05.004
State	Published - Sep 2013

Keywords

AMPK
Cancer
Chemoprevention
Diabetes
Metformin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Endocrinology

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10.1016/j.tem.2013.05.004

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title = "Repositioning metformin for cancer prevention and treatment",

abstract = "Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Retrospective studies show that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk. This historical correlation has driven vigorous research campaigns to determine the anticancer mechanisms of metformin. Consolidating the preclinical data is a challenge because unanswered questions remain concerning relevant mechanisms, bioavailability, and genetic factors that confer metformin sensitivity. Perhaps the most important unanswered question is whether metformin has activity against cancer in non-diabetics. In this review we highlight the proposed mechanisms of metformin action in cancer and discuss ongoing clinical trials with metformin in cancer. Improved understanding of these issues will increase the chances for successful application of metformin as an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective anticancer agent.",

keywords = "AMPK, Cancer, Chemoprevention, Diabetes, Metformin",

author = "Quinn, {Brendan J.} and Hiroshi Kitagawa and Memmott, {Regan M.} and Gills, {Joell J.} and Dennis, {Phillip A.}",

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AU - Quinn, Brendan J.

AU - Kitagawa, Hiroshi

AU - Memmott, Regan M.

AU - Gills, Joell J.

AU - Dennis, Phillip A.

PY - 2013/9

Y1 - 2013/9

N2 - Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Retrospective studies show that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk. This historical correlation has driven vigorous research campaigns to determine the anticancer mechanisms of metformin. Consolidating the preclinical data is a challenge because unanswered questions remain concerning relevant mechanisms, bioavailability, and genetic factors that confer metformin sensitivity. Perhaps the most important unanswered question is whether metformin has activity against cancer in non-diabetics. In this review we highlight the proposed mechanisms of metformin action in cancer and discuss ongoing clinical trials with metformin in cancer. Improved understanding of these issues will increase the chances for successful application of metformin as an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective anticancer agent.

AB - Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Retrospective studies show that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk. This historical correlation has driven vigorous research campaigns to determine the anticancer mechanisms of metformin. Consolidating the preclinical data is a challenge because unanswered questions remain concerning relevant mechanisms, bioavailability, and genetic factors that confer metformin sensitivity. Perhaps the most important unanswered question is whether metformin has activity against cancer in non-diabetics. In this review we highlight the proposed mechanisms of metformin action in cancer and discuss ongoing clinical trials with metformin in cancer. Improved understanding of these issues will increase the chances for successful application of metformin as an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective anticancer agent.

KW - AMPK

KW - Cancer

KW - Chemoprevention

KW - Diabetes

KW - Metformin

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Repositioning metformin for cancer prevention and treatment

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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