Abstract: Recent epidemiologic data indicate that metfomin has an antitumor effect. However, the underlying antitumor mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can exhibit prooncogenic or antioncogenic effects by regulating the differentiation and proliferation of cells. In vitro studies show that metformin can regulate the expressions of multiple miRNAs which are closely associated with tumor development, a process possibly relating to the anticancer roles of metformin.

Key words: Metformin, MicroRNAs, Neoplasms