Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a major clinical challenge due to limited therapeutic success despite standard treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, and temozolomide (TMZ). Recent evidence links hyperglycemia to cancer progression, and altered glucose metabolism has emerged as a key factor in GBM development. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, has shown promise in improving survival in GBM patients, possibly due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and target metabolic pathways involved in tumor growth. Preclinical studies suggest metformin may enhance TMZ efficacy by acting on glioma stem cells and overcoming resistance mechanisms. Its activation of AMPK and modulation of Wnt signaling further support its therapeutic potential. However, while early studies and clinical trials have explored metformin’s safety and efficacy, its direct impact on GBM survival remains unclear. Ongoing research aims to clarify its mechanisms and identify responsive patient subgroups. Novel strategies, including PPARγ agonists and nanoerythrosome-based drug delivery systems, are also under investigation to improve metformin’s therapeutic profile. Rigorous clinical trials and mechanistic studies are essential to determine the role of metformin as adjunct therapy in GBM treatment.
Begagić et al. (Wed,) studied this question.