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Li JH, Hsin PY, Hsiao YC, Chen BJ, Zhuang ZY, Lee CW, Lee WJ, Vo TTT, Tseng CF, Tseng SF, Lee IT. A Narrative Review: Repurposing Metformin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Oral Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3017. [PMID: 39272875 PMCID: PMC11394296 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a significant global health challenge because of its high incidence and limited treatment options. Major risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and specific microbiota, contribute to the disease's prevalence. Recently, a compelling association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and oral cancer has been identified, with metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, emerging as a potential therapeutic agent across various cancers, including OSCC. This review explores both preclinical and clinical studies to understand the mechanisms by which metformin may exert its anticancer effects, such as inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and enhancing the efficacy of existing treatments. Preclinical studies demonstrate that metformin modulates crucial metabolic pathways, reduces inflammation, and impacts cellular proliferation, thereby potentially lowering cancer risk and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, metformin's ability to reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), regulate the LIN28/let-7 axis, and its therapeutic role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are examined through experimental models. In clinical contexts, metformin shows promise in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and reducing recurrence rates, although challenges such as drug interactions, complex dosing regimens, and risks such as vitamin B12 deficiency remain. Future research should focus on optimizing metformin's application, investigating its synergistic effects with other therapies, and conducting rigorous clinical trials to validate its efficacy in OSCC treatment. This dual exploration underscores metformin's potential to play a transformative role in both diabetes management and cancer care, potentially revolutionizing oral cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Hsiang Li
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan 33004, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Hsin
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chia Hsiao
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Jun Chen
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Yun Zhuang
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chiang-Wen Lee
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ju Lee
- School of Food Safety, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Thi Thuy Tien Vo
- Faculty of Dentistry, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Chien-Fu Tseng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10048, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan 33004, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Fen Tseng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan 33004, Taiwan
| | - I-Ta Lee
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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Silverii GA, Fumagalli C, Rozzini R, Milani M, Mannucci E, Marchionni N. Is Metformin Use Associated with a More Favorable COVID-19 Course in People with Diabetes? J Clin Med 2024; 13:1874. [PMID: 38610639 PMCID: PMC11012895 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13071874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been associated with a higher Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) mortality, both in hospitalized patients and in the general population. A possible beneficial effect of metformin on the prognosis of COVID-19 has been reported in some observational studies, whereas other studies disagree. Methods: To investigate the possible effect of metformin on COVID-19 in-hospital mortality, we performed a retrospective study that included all SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with DM who were admitted to two Italian hospitals. In order to adjust for possible confounders accounting for the observed reduction of mortality in metformin users, we adopted the COVID-19 Mortality Risk Score (COVID-19 MRS) as a covariate. Results: Out of the 524 included patients, 33.4% died. A binomial logistic regression showed that metformin use was associated with a significant reduction in case fatality (OR 0.67 [0.45-0.98], p = 0.039), with no significant effect on the need for ventilation (OR 0.75 [0.5-1.11], p = 0.146). After adjusting for COVID-19 MRS, metformin did not retain a significant association with in-hospital mortality [OR 0.795 (0.495-1.277), p = 0.342]. Conclusions: A beneficial effect of metformin on COVID-19 was not proven after adjusting for confounding factors. The use of validated tools to stratify the risk for COVID-19 severe disease and death, such as COVID-19 MRS, may be useful to better explore the potential association of medications and comorbidities with COVID-19 prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Antonio Silverii
- Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio” Department, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy (G.A.S.)
| | - Carlo Fumagalli
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Renzo Rozzini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, 25124 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Marta Milani
- Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio” Department, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy (G.A.S.)
| | - Edoardo Mannucci
- Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio” Department, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy (G.A.S.)
| | - Niccolò Marchionni
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine Department, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
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De Jesús-González LA, del Ángel RM, Palacios-Rápalo SN, Cordero-Rivera CD, Rodríguez-Carlos A, Trujillo-Paez JV, Farfan-Morales CN, Osuna-Ramos JF, Reyes-Ruiz JM, Rivas-Santiago B, León-Juárez M, García-Herrera AC, Ramos-Cortes AC, López-Gándara EA, Martínez-Rodríguez E. A Dual Pharmacological Strategy against COVID-19: The Therapeutic Potential of Metformin and Atorvastatin. Microorganisms 2024; 12:383. [PMID: 38399787 PMCID: PMC10893401 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metformin (MET) and atorvastatin (ATO) are promising treatments for COVID-19. This review explores the potential of MET and ATO, commonly prescribed for diabetes and dyslipidemia, respectively, as versatile medicines against SARS-CoV-2. Due to their immunomodulatory and antiviral capabilities, as well as their cost-effectiveness and ubiquitous availability, they are highly suitable options for treating the virus. MET's effect extends beyond managing blood sugar, impacting pathways that can potentially decrease the severity and fatality rates linked with COVID-19. It can partially block mitochondrial complex I and stimulate AMPK, which indicates that it can be used more widely in managing viral infections. ATO, however, impacts cholesterol metabolism, a crucial element of the viral replicative cycle, and demonstrates anti-inflammatory characteristics that could modulate intense immune reactions in individuals with COVID-19. Retrospective investigations and clinical trials show decreased hospitalizations, severity, and mortality rates in patients receiving these medications. Nevertheless, the journey from observing something to applying it in a therapeutic setting is intricate, and the inherent diversity of the data necessitates carefully executed, forward-looking clinical trials. This review highlights the requirement for efficacious, easily obtainable, and secure COVID-19 therapeutics and identifies MET and ATO as promising treatments in this worldwide health emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Adrián De Jesús-González
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (S.N.P.-R.); (C.D.C.-R.)
| | - Rosa María del Ángel
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (S.N.P.-R.); (C.D.C.-R.)
| | - Selvin Noé Palacios-Rápalo
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (S.N.P.-R.); (C.D.C.-R.)
| | - Carlos Daniel Cordero-Rivera
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (S.N.P.-R.); (C.D.C.-R.)
| | - Adrián Rodríguez-Carlos
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Juan Valentin Trujillo-Paez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Carlos Noe Farfan-Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Cuajimalpa, Ciudad de México 05348, Mexico;
| | | | - José Manuel Reyes-Ruiz
- División de Investigación en Salud, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades No. 14, Centro Médico Nacional “Adolfo Ruiz Cortines”, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Veracruz 91897, Mexico;
- Facultad de Medicina, Región Veracruz, Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Veracruz 91700, Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Laboratorio de Virología Perinatal y Diseño Molecular de Antígenos y Biomarcadores, Departamento de Inmunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico;
| | - Ana Cristina García-Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Adriana Clara Ramos-Cortes
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Erika Alejandra López-Gándara
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
| | - Estefanía Martínez-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico; (A.R.-C.); (J.V.T.-P.); (B.R.-S.); (A.C.G.-H.); (A.C.R.-C.); (E.A.L.-G.); (E.M.-R.)
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