Michael Pollak

Michael Pollak is the world's foremost authority on metformin and cancer, having pioneered research demonstrating that this common diabetes drug has anti-cancer properties through multiple mechanisms. His laboratory characterized how metformin activates AMPK, inhibits mTORC1, and reduces circulating insulin levels to limit cancer cell growth. He has designed and conducted multiple clinical trials of metformin in cancer prevention and treatment. His work established the IGF axis as a critical link between diabetes, obesity, and cancer risk, informing modern cancer prevention strategies.