doi: 10.1186/s40880-017-0184-9

Metformin targets multiple signaling pathways in cancer

Yong Lei, Yanhua Yi, Yang Liu, Xia Liu, Evan T. Keller, Chao-Nan Qian, Jian Zhang and Yi Lu

Key Laboratory of Longevity and Ageing-related Diseases, Ministry of Education; Center for Translational Medicine, Guangxi Medical University

[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.

Chinese Journal of Cancer 2017, Volume: 36, Issue 7

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Yong Lei, Yanhua Yi, Yang Liu, Xia Liu, Evan T. Keller, Chao-Nan Qian, Jian Zhang and Yi Lu. Metformin targets multiple signaling pathways in cancer. Chin J Cancer. 2017, 36:17. doi:10.1186/s40880-017-0184-9


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