A review on potential anticancer properties of antidiabetic drugs: metformin and sulfonylureas

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a public health emergency that is increasing drastically worldwide. In many research findings, it is shown that it causes not only cardiovascular diseases but also increases the risk of cancer. Metformin and sulfonylureas are commonly used drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and recent meta-analysis also emphasizes their effects against various types of cancer like breast cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Metformin activates the AMPK and mTOR pathway and it also blocks the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. Consequently, metformin inhibit the protein synthesis and cell proliferation of tumor cells. The second generation of sulfonylureas are more potent and also exhibit anticancer effects. Sulfonylureas block K+ ion channels, so depolarization occurs thus activating caspase 12 which activates caspase 3,6,7 thus resulting in tumor cell apoptosis. This review article is significant and is expected to realize a much needed knowledge gap in examining the antineoplastic effects of metformin and sulfonyl ureas for drug repurposing.