ABSTRACT
Preclinical studies have shown that metformin, an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) , can inhibit the growth of lymphoma cells without affecting the function of normal lymphocytes, promote the apoptosis of lymphoma cells and improve the tumor immune environment. Clinical studies have shown that metformin can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) . Through the influence on glucose metabolism, it can improve blood glucose level and reduce the incidence of steroid diabetes. The main molecular mechanisms of metformin against NHL include activating AMPK in tumor cells, inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin signal, inhibiting key cholesterol synthesis, improving glucose metabolism, enhancing highly cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity and so on. Current research shows that metformin may become a new strategy for the treatment of NHL.