Metformin and Physical Activity: Potential Interactions, Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Lung Cancer Treatment- A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.62.73115Keywords
lung cancer, metformin, physical activity, cancer therapy, cancer treatment, metformin, cancer metabolismAbstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Due to altered cellular metabolism in cancer cells, metabolism-modifying agents are increasingly investigated for their potential anticancer effects. Metformin, a biguanide commonly used in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), has recently been evaluated as a potential adjunct to standard cancer therapies. Physical activity is also known to influence metabolic pathways involved in cancer progression and may modify treatment outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of the use of metformin in lung cancer treatment. Publications were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The results showed that the addition of metformin to cancer therapies demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness across treatment modalities. Most studies reported improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) when metformin was combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Moreover, metformin improved median OS and PFS in most studies evaluating its combination with chemotherapy. The addition of metformin to immunotherapy generally improved OS and PFS, although the results were more variable. Evidence from the literature suggests that both metformin and regular physical activity may exert beneficial metabolic effects relevant to cancer treatment. However, despite promising findings, further clinical studies are needed to clarify their individual and combined impact on outcomes in patients with lung cancer.
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