TY - JOUR
T1 - A Narrative Review
T2 - Repurposing Metformin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Oral Cancer
AU - Li, Jui Hsiang
AU - Hsin, Pei Yi
AU - Hsiao, Yung Chia
AU - Chen, Bo Jun
AU - Zhuang, Zhi Yun
AU - Lee, Chiang Wen
AU - Lee, Wei Ju
AU - Vo, Thi Thuy Tien
AU - Tseng, Chien Fu
AU - Tseng, Shih Fen
AU - Lee, I. Ta
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - anticancer properties
KW - diabetes mellitus
KW - epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
KW - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
KW - metformin
KW - oral squamous cell carcinoma
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U2 - 10.3390/cancers16173017
DO - 10.3390/cancers16173017
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85203633723
SN - 2072-6694
VL - 16
JO - Cancers
JF - Cancers
IS - 17
M1 - 3017
ER -