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Usage Information

Potential applications for biguanides in oncology
Michael Pollak
Michael Pollak
Published September 3, 2013
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2013;123(9):3693-3700. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI67232.
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Review Series

Potential applications for biguanides in oncology

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Abstract

Metformin is widely prescribed for the treatment of type II diabetes. Recently, it has been proposed that this compound or related biguanides may have antineoplastic activity. Biguanides may exploit specific metabolic vulnerabilities of transformed cells by acting on them directly, or may act by indirect mechanisms that involve alterations of the host environment. Preclinical data suggest that drug exposure levels are a key determinant of proposed direct actions. With respect to indirect mechanisms, it will be important to determine whether recently demonstrated metformin-induced changes in levels of candidate systemic mediators such as insulin or inflammatory cytokines are of sufficient magnitude to achieve therapeutic benefit. Results of the first generation of clinical trials now in progress are eagerly anticipated. Ongoing investigations may justify a second generation of trials that explore pharmacokinetic optimization, rational drug combinations, synthetic lethality strategies, novel biguanides, and the use of predictive biomarkers.

Authors

Michael Pollak

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Usage data is cumulative from July 2024 through July 2025.

Usage JCI PMC
Text version 1,228 74
PDF 96 33
Figure 200 4
Citation downloads 74 0
Totals 1,598 111
Total Views 1,709
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Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.

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