Metformin and HER2-positive breast cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

<p>Due to the strong association between diabetes and cancer incidents, several anti-diabetic drugs, including metformin, have been examined for their anticancer activity. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent used as a first-line drug for type II diabetes mellitus. It exhibits anti...

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Main Author: Sara S Bashraheel (17807612) (author)
Other Authors: Hadeel Kheraldine (14231609) (author), Sarah Khalaf (16555642) (author), Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa (5472368) (author)
Published: 2023
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Summary:<p>Due to the strong association between diabetes and cancer incidents, several anti-diabetic drugs, including metformin, have been examined for their anticancer activity. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent used as a first-line drug for type II diabetes mellitus. It exhibits anticancer activity by impacting different molecular pathways, such as AMP-inducible protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent pathways. Additionally, Metformin indirectly inhibits IGF-1R signaling, which is highly activated in breast malignancy. On the other hand, breast cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, where the human epidermal growth factor receptor-positive (HER2-positive) subtype is one of the most aggressive ones with a high rate of lymph node metastasis. In this review, we summarize the association between diabetes and human cancer, listing recent evidence of metformin’s anticancer activity. A special focus is dedicated to HER2-positive breast cancer with regards to the interaction between HER2 and IGF-1R. Then, we discuss combination therapy strategies of metformin and other anti-diabetic drugs in HER2-positive breast cancer.</p><h2>Other Information</h2> <p> Published in: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy<br> License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114676" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114676</a></p>