Anti-Diabetic Drugs as Novel Avenues in Cancer Management

Rizwan A, Idris A, Shaikh H, Aqeel A and Farooqi H

Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India Department of Food Technology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India These authors contributed equally to this work

^*Correspondance to: Humaira Farooqi 

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Abstract:

The International Diabetes Federation has highlighted the global rise in diabetes, impacting 463 million people, or 9.3% of the population, with projections indicating an increase to 700 million by 2045. There is a significant connection between diabetes, particularly type 2, and cancer risk due to impaired insulin signaling promoting abnormal cell growth. Antidiabetic medications regulating insulin show promise as adjuvants in cancer therapy, sparking growing interest in this area. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between antidiabetic drugs and cancer through epidemiological data, preclinical studies, and clinical trials examining the potential anti-cancer properties of drugs like metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors. It also addresses controversies surrounding the effects of biguanides and SGLT-2 inhibitors on cancer treatment while identifying research gaps to promote extensive exploration into this topic and foster innovative treatment approaches. However, using antidiabetic drugs to fight cancer presents challenges such as optimizing dosing and managing side effects; thus, emphasizing continuous research for developing effective personalized treatment strategies (Figure 1).

Keywords:

Diabetes; Cancer; Anti-Diabetic Medications; Metformin; SGLT-2 Inhibitors; Insulin; Molecular Pathways; Epidemiology

Cite the Article:

Rizwan A, Idris A, Shaikh H, Aqeel A, Farooqi H. Anti-Diabetic Drugs as Novel Avenues in Cancer Management. Clin Oncol. 2024; 9: 2117..