open access

Vol 93, No 5 (2022)
Review paper
Published online: 2021-12-07
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Metformin in selected malignancies in women

Anna Markowska1, Joanna Stanislawiak-Rudowicz2, Tomasz Kasprzak2, Janina Markowska2, Monika Szarszewska2
·
Pubmed: 35072253
·
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(5):416-421.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  2. Department of Oncology, Gynaecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

open access

Vol 93, No 5 (2022)
REVIEW PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2021-12-07

Abstract

The results of preclinical, epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that metformin, the main drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has antitumor activity.
Metformin reduces the incidence of malignant neoplasms in various locations, including gynaecological tumours. It lowers morbidity, has a positive effect on the course of the disease and reduces mortality. The mechanism of the antitumor action of metformin is pleiotropic and involves several signalling pathways, including AMPK/mTOR (mitogen activated protein kinase/mammalian target rapamycin), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and numerous factors: NF-KB (nuclear factor kappa), HIF-1 alpha (hypoxia inducible factor 1), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, metformin eliminates CSCs (cancer stem cells) that are associated with cancer progression, metastasis and resistance to treatment.
The effect of metformin in breast and endometrial cancer is favourable in the vast majority of studies. The results of studies on ovarian and cervical cancer promote metformin as a candidate in the combination treatment of these cancers. More results from meta-analyzes and clinical trials are awaited. It is clearly recognized that metformin as an antidiabetic in women with type 2 diabetes has an advantage over other antidiabetics due to its anticancer activity.

Abstract

The results of preclinical, epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that metformin, the main drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has antitumor activity.
Metformin reduces the incidence of malignant neoplasms in various locations, including gynaecological tumours. It lowers morbidity, has a positive effect on the course of the disease and reduces mortality. The mechanism of the antitumor action of metformin is pleiotropic and involves several signalling pathways, including AMPK/mTOR (mitogen activated protein kinase/mammalian target rapamycin), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) and numerous factors: NF-KB (nuclear factor kappa), HIF-1 alpha (hypoxia inducible factor 1), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, metformin eliminates CSCs (cancer stem cells) that are associated with cancer progression, metastasis and resistance to treatment.
The effect of metformin in breast and endometrial cancer is favourable in the vast majority of studies. The results of studies on ovarian and cervical cancer promote metformin as a candidate in the combination treatment of these cancers. More results from meta-analyzes and clinical trials are awaited. It is clearly recognized that metformin as an antidiabetic in women with type 2 diabetes has an advantage over other antidiabetics due to its anticancer activity.

Get Citation

Keywords

metformin; breast cancer; endometrial cancer; ovarian cancer; cervical cancer

About this article
Title

Metformin in selected malignancies in women

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 93, No 5 (2022)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

416-421

Published online

2021-12-07

Page views

5577

Article views/downloads

1309

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0222

Pubmed

35072253

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2022;93(5):416-421.

Keywords

metformin
breast cancer
endometrial cancer
ovarian cancer
cervical cancer

Authors

Anna Markowska
Joanna Stanislawiak-Rudowicz
Tomasz Kasprzak
Janina Markowska
Monika Szarszewska

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