Genetics and response to treatment with metformin for type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects approximately 589 million people worldwide. Type 2 diabetes is one of its main forms (~90%) and manifests as hyperglycemia due to the resistance of myocytes and adipocytes to insulin. These are unable to capture and use blood glucose. In the long term, T2D can lead to a reduced production of insulin by beta cells, leading to more complex complications. Metformin is the first-line treatment for this condition. However, it may not always be effective for regulating blood glucose levels. Some factors, such as genetics, may influence the drug efficacy for this disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the pharmacogenetic variants associated with response to metformin in T2D treatment.