The ancient Roman godIanuswas a mysterious divinity with two opposite faces, one looking at the past and the other looking to the future. Likewise, metformin is an “old” drug, with one side looking at the metabolic role and the other looking at the anti-proliferative mechanism; therefore, it represents a typical and ideal bridge between diabetes and cancer. Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanidine hydrochloride) is a drug that has long been in use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but recently evidence is growing about its potential use in other metabolic conditions and in proliferative-associated diseases. The aim of this paper is to retrace, from a historical perspective, the knowledge of this molecule, shedding light on the subcellular mechanisms of action involved in metabolism as well as cellular and tissue growth. The intra-tumoral pharmacodynamic effects of metformin and its possible role in the management of different neoplasms are evaluated and debated. The etymology of the nameIanusis probably from the Latin termianua, which meansdoor. How many new doors will this old drug be able to open?
古罗马神祇雅努斯是一位神秘的双面神祇，一面注视过去，一面展望未来。同样地，二甲双胍作为一种"古老"药物，一面指向代谢调节功能，一面指向抗增殖机制；因此它构成了连接糖尿病与癌症研究的典型理想桥梁。二甲双胍（盐酸1,1-二甲基双胍）长期用于2型糖尿病治疗，但近期越来越多的证据表明其在其他代谢性疾病及增殖相关疾病中具有潜在应用价值。本文旨在从历史视角追溯该分子的认知发展，阐明其在代谢调控及细胞组织生长中涉及的亚细胞作用机制。文中系统评估并探讨了二甲双胍的肿瘤内药效学特性及其在不同肿瘤治疗中的潜在作用。雅努斯之名词源可能来自拉丁语"ianua"，意为"门"。这剂古老药物又将为我们开启多少新的希望之门？
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家