Metformin as Potential Therapy for High-Grade Glioma

• Main Authors: Marek Mazurek, Jakub Litak, Piotr Kamieniak, Bartłomiej Kulesza, Katarzyna Jonak, Jacek Baj, Cezary Grochowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-01-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: glioblastoma multiforme; gbm; metformin; clinical trial; glioma
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/1/210

Metformin (MET), 1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride, is a biguanide drug used as the first-line medication in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The recent years have brought many observations showing metformin in its new role. The drug, commonly used in the therapy of diabetes, may also find application in the therapy of a vast variety of tumors. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in colon, breast, prostate, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, melanoma, lung and endometrial carcinoma, as well as in gliomas. This is especially important in light of the poor options offered to patients in the case of high-grade gliomas, which include glioblastoma (GBM). A thorough understanding of the mechanism of action of metformin can make it possible to discover new drugs that could be used in neoplasm therapy.