Why Metformin Should Not Be Used as an Oxidative Phosphorylation Inhibitor in Cancer Patients

Background: Preclinical studies have suggested that metformin exerts antitumor effects on various types of cancers. However, the results of human clinical trials have been inconsistent.

Summary: Metformin is widely considered to be a prime example of a clinically relevant compound that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, the efficacy of metformin in inhibiting OXPHOS in cancer patients remains uncertain. The available evidence suggests that the plasma concentration of metformin remains within the micromolar range when administered at therapeutic doses. While millimolar concentrations are necessary to inhibit complex I activity in isolated mitochondria, there is no evidence supporting the idea that metformin accumulates within the mitochondria. Metformin exerts a modest effect on the adenosine diphosphate to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio, resulting in AMP-activated protein kinase activation, which promotes ATP-generating catabolic pathways and restores cellular energy balance.

Key messages: The value of metformin as an OXPHOS inhibitor for cancer treatment is debatable, and caution should be exercised while using metformin for this purpose.