Metformin: An Emerging New Therapeutic Option for Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Metastasis

Figure 1

Downstream effects of AMPK activation by metformin resulting in inhibition of tumor growth. Activation of AMPK by metformin results in myriad effects that include (i) inhibition of mTOR, resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis and cell growth; (ii) activation of p53 and p21 along with inhibition of cyclins, resulting in cell cycle arrest; (iii) inhibition of lipid and sterol biosynthetic pathways; (iv) having a systemic effect on vital organs involved in glucose balance that results in reduced levels of growth factors like insulin, IGF, and leptin.