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Anti-diabetic drug metformin: challenges and perspectives for cancer therapy

Publication Type : Journal Article

Thematic Areas : Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine

Publisher : Current cancer drug targets

Source : Current cancer drug targets, Bentham Science Publishers, Volume 14, Number 8, p.727–736 (2014)

Url : http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/ccdt/2014/00000014/00000008/art00005

Campus : Kochi

School : Center for Nanosciences

Center : Amrita Center for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine Move, Nanosciences

Department : Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine

Year : 2014

Abstract : Metformin, a biguanide, is a commonly administered drug for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug received tremendous recognition, when retrospective studies proved metformin-associated reduction in cancer risk. Metformin has potential anticancer effects and an ability to suppress tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Activation of LKB1/AMPK pathway and cancer stem cell destruction along with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction are the proposed mechanisms of anticancer potential of metformin. Nanotechnology approaches have also been adopted for metformin delivery to cancer cells. This review directs on the application of metformin for the therapy of various cancers and also the different pathways responsible for the metformin derived anticancer effect. It also focuses on the pharmacological applications of metformin and the nanotechnology approaches for metformin delivery.

Cite this Research Publication : K. Sreenivasa Snima, Pillai, P., Cherian, A. Mary, Nair, S. V., and Lakshmanan, V. - K., “Anti-diabetic drug metformin: challenges and perspectives for cancer therapy”, Current cancer drug targets, vol. 14, pp. 727–736, 2014.

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