Emerging Horizons of Metformin: Exploring Recent Advances and Addressing Challenges in Research and Clinical Utilization, Volume II

Metformin remains one of the most widely prescribed oral biguanides for type 2 diabetes, yet its reach now extends far beyond glucose control. Research continues to point to roles in cancer, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, aging, neurodegeneration, and metabolic dysfunction. The first volume of this Research Topic drew strong interest from the community and brought together work that sharpened our understanding of how metformin acts and where its clinical value lies. It also made clear how much remains open: the precise mechanisms, the variation in efficacy across conditions, and the side effect profile are still not fully resolved.Volume II builds on that momentum. We again invite researchers and clinicians to consolidate and push forward the science around metformin, with a focus on translating mechanistic insight into clinical benefit.We welcome articles in the following areas, but not limited to those that:• Investigate the molecular mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics of metformin, clarifying how it engages cellular signaling pathways and metabolic processes.• Analyze metformin’s efficacy and therapeutic potential in non-diabetic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome, with comparative studies that weigh benefits and risks across patient populations.• Explore the synergistic effects of metformin in combination with other agents, defining novel therapeutic strategies that could move toward clinical trials, including dose optimization and personalized medicine approaches.• Detail metformin’s impact on metabolic health beyond glucose regulation, such as effects on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and mitochondrial function.• Address patient-specific responses to metformin shaped by genetic, epigenetic, or environmental factors, including its interaction with dietary intake and dietary patterns.• Offer critical reviews of the side effects and limitations of metformin use, with insight into better management and mitigation.Through this collection we aim to build a comprehensive, nuanced picture of metformin’s many roles in health and disease. By bringing together interdisciplinary research and clinical investigation, Volume II seeks to improve patient care, broaden clinical applications, and add substantially to the field of metabolism and chronic disease management. We invite researchers to share their latest findings and perspectives, strengthening the scientific foundation behind metformin’s clinical and therapeutic landscape. Topic editors: Mehrnaz Abbasi, Agnieszka Śliwińska, Jong Chul Won Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83197/emerging-horizons-of-metformin-exploring-recent-advances-and-addressing-challenges-in-research-and-clinical-utilization-volume-ii