The therapeutic value of antidiabetic drugs in lung cancer treatment: from clinical evidence to possible mechanisms.

With the steadily rising incidence of lung cancer and diabetes mellitus, both of them are increasingly becoming prominent global health concerns. Treatment options for lung cancer to improve prognosis and reduce the pain and financial burden of patients remain under continuous exploration. In recent years, hypoglycemic agents for diabetes mellitus have gained growing recognition for their potential anti-tumor effects through multi-pathway regulation, particularly in combination therapies, where they may enhance the efficacy of traditional chemotherapy or targeted treatments for lung cancers. Therefore, in-depth investigation into the effects of various hypoglycemic agents on lung cancer, along with their underlying mechanisms, is of great significance for developing more precise and effective treatment strategies, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and improving patient survival rates. In the present review, we will summarize the recent progress of whether and how hypoglycemic agents could be potential complementary options for lung cancer treatment and explore the possible underlying mechanism. While examining the pharmacological profile of metformin relevant with lung cancer treatment, this review also explores the unique idiosyncrasies of other commonly used agents in diabetes mellitus management.