Metformin Targets Multiple Signaling Pathways in Cancer

Overview

Journal Chin J Cancer

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Oncology

Date 2017 Jan 28

PMID 28126011

Citations 75

Authors

Yong Lei

Yanhua Yi

Yang Liu

Xia Liu

Evan T Keller

Chao-Nan Qian

Jian Zhang

Yi Lu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Metformin, an inexpensive and well-tolerated oral agent commonly used in the first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes, has become the focus of intense research as a candidate anticancer agent. Here, we discuss the potential of metformin in cancer therapeutics, particularly its functions in multiple signaling pathways, including AMP-activated protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, insulin-like growth factor, c-Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, and nuclear factor kappaB pathways. In addition, cutting-edge targeting of cancer stem cells by metformin is summarized.

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