metformin + paclitaxel

This therapeutic combination consists of **metformin**, an oral biguanide traditionally used for type 2 diabetes, and **paclitaxel**, a cytotoxic taxane chemotherapy agent. Metformin exerts potential anticancer effects by activating the **AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)** pathway and inhibiting **mitochondrial complex I**, which subsequently suppresses the **mTOR** metabolic signaling pathway and reduces insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. Paclitaxel works by binding to and stabilizing microtubules, preventing their depolymerization and causing cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. The combination was evaluated by the **Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP)** in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who had failed first-line gemcitabine therapy. The study aimed to exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of pancreatic cancer cells, although the trial was ultimately terminated early due to insufficient efficacy.

Brand names

GlucophageTaxolAbraxane

Other names

Metformin and Paclitaxel combinationMetformin hydrochloridePaclitaxel