METFORMIN - FROM ANTI-DIABETIC DRUG TO ANTI-CANCER DRUG

Metformin is a synthetic biguanide, that has been used to treat diabetic mellitus for decades. Apart from the hypoglycemic properties it has been documented to have also other favorable activities, such as anticancer properties. In in vitro studies, metformin has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, reduced colony formation, and caused partial cell cycle arrest in various types of cancer cell lines. Results of clinical trials suggest that treatment with metformin is associated with reduced risk of cancer incidence or cancer mortality. There are also available observational data which suggest that metformin might improve cancer prognosis. The aim of the work is to present the main actual information on the results of in vitro, pre-clinical as well as clinical studies concerning anti-cancer features of metformin. Additionally, we summarize potential mechanisms of metformin's anti-neoplastic properties.