metformin + platinum

Metformin + platinum refers to a combination of the antidiabetic drug metformin and a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent (such as cisplatin, carboplatin, or oxaliplatin). This is not an approved fixed-dose pharmaceutical product but rather describes the concurrent use of these two agents in clinical or experimental settings. Metformin is a biguanide that lowers blood glucose by decreasing hepatic glucose production, decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose, and improving insulin sensitivity. Platinum compounds are alkylating-like agents that form DNA crosslinks and induce apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells; they are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. The rationale for combining metformin with platinum drugs is based on preclinical and early clinical evidence suggesting potential synergistic anti-tumor effects—metformin may enhance the efficacy of platinum agents by modulating cellular metabolism, reducing resistance mechanisms, or sensitizing tumor cells to DNA damage.