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Review
. 2018 Oct 23:9:622.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00622. eCollection 2018.

Metformin and Colorectal Cancer

Takuma Higurashi  1 , Atsushi Nakajima  1
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

Metformin and Colorectal Cancer

Takuma Higurashi et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently encountered neoplasms in humans. The incidence of CRC has been increasing and new strategies for prevention, including chemoprevention, are required to lower its incidence and associated mortality. Metformin is a biguanide compound commonly used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Many recent basic research, epidemiological and clinical trial studies have indicated that metformin has benefits not only in diabetes treatment, but also in lowering the risk of developing cancer (including CRC). These studies indicate that metformin may be a candidate chemoprevention agent for CRC. This review article shall discuss the present evidence of metformin treatment and CRC, as well as outline our challenge in the investigation of metformin use in chemoprevention therapy for colorectal tumors.

Keywords: basic research; chemoprevention; clinical trials; colorectal cancer; epidemiology; metfromin; review.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Endoscopic features of Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Trial profile. This figure is reproduced from (53) with permission.
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