Anti-tumor activity of metformin: from metabolic and epigenetic perspectives

// Xilan Yu 1, * , Wuxiang Mao 1, * , Yansheng Zhai 1 , Chong Tong 1 , Min Liu 1 , Lixin Ma 1 , Xiaolan Yu 1 , Shanshan Li 1 1 Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China * These authors have equally contributed to this work Correspondence to: Xiaolan Yu, email: yxiaolan@163.com Shanshan Li, email: shl@hubu.edu.cn Keywords: metformin, therapeutic targets, metabolism, epigenetic modifications Received: September 22, 2016 Accepted: November 03, 2016 Published: November 26, 2016 ABSTRACT Metformin has been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over 50 years. Epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that metformin treatment reduces cancer incidence in diabetes patients. Due to its potential as an anti-cancer agent and its low cost, metformin has gained intense research interest. Its traditional anti-cancer mechanisms involve both indirect and direct insulin-dependent pathways. Here, we discussed the anti-tumor mechanism of metformin from the aspects of cell metabolism and epigenetic modifications. The effects of metformin on anti-cancer immunity and apoptosis were also described. Understanding these mechanisms will shed lights on application of metformin in clinical trials and development of anti-cancer therapy.