Metformin and cancer therapy.

Purpose of reviewTo focus on the potential role of metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, in cancer treatment.Recent findingsEpidemiological, preclinical and cellular studies have shown in the last 6 years that metformin exertsantitumoral properties. Here, we review the very last findings concerning metformin action in cancer. Theresults of the first clinical trials as well as the combined action of metformin and chemotherapeutics agentsin vitro and in vivo will be discussed. Recent studies show that metformin could also regulate inflammationand, therefore, may play a role in tumor microenvironment. Finally, we will present the latest publicationsconcerning the molecular mechanisms implicated in metformin action, especially the AMP-activated kinase-independent pathways.SummaryThe numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies warrant the ongoing clinical trials, which should definitively helpus to determine if metformin could be used in cancer therapy.KeywordsAMP-activated kinase, cancer, metformin