Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in females. It is an etiologically complex disease driven by a multitude of cellular pathways. The proliferation and spread of breast cancer is intimately linked to cellular glucose metabolism, given that glucose is an essential cellular metabolic substrate and that insulin signalling has mitogenic effects. Growing interest has focused on anti-diabetic agents in the management of breast cancer. Epidemiologic studies show that metformin reduces cancer incidence and mortality among type 2 diabetic patients. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo research provides intriguing insight into the cellular mechanisms behind the oncostatic effects of metformin. This article aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms in which metformin may elicit its anti-cancerous effects and discuss its potential role as an adjuvant in the management of breast cancer.