Metformin – a possible way to reduce risk and improve oncological outcome of cervical cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the major cancer types, the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide, with a significant socioeconomic burden. Metformin, an inexpensive, traditional oral anti-hyperglycemic drug, is one of the most widely used antidiabetic drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of metformin to reduce cancer risk and improve oncological outcomes of various cancer types, including cervical cancer. The precise mechanism of the antitumor effect of metformin is still unclear. Herein I review the scientific evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the antitumor effect of metformin on cancer risk and oncological outcomes of cervical cancer.