Korean J Pediatr.  2016 Sep;59(9):374-380. 10.3345/kjp.2016.59.9.374.

Metformin displays in vitro and in vivo antitumor effect against osteosarcoma

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Clinical Translational Research, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea. junahlee@kcch.re.kr
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Division of Radiation Effect, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Patients with unresectable, relapsed, or refractory osteosarcoma need a novel therapeutic agent. Metformin is a biguanide derivative used in the treatment of type II diabetes, and is recently gaining attention in cancer research.
METHODS
We evaluated the effect of metformin against human osteosarcoma. Four osteosarcoma cell lines (KHOS/NP, HOS, MG-63, U-2 OS) were treated with metformin and cell proliferation was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometric analysis, and migration and wound healing assay were performed. Fourteen female Balb/c-nude mice received KHOS/NP cell grafts in their thigh, and were allowed access to metformin containing water (2 mg/mL) ad libitum. Tumor volume was measured every 3-4 days for a period of 4 weeks.
RESULTS
Metformin had a significant antiproliferative effect on human osteosarcoma cells. In particular, metformin inhibited the proliferation and migration of KHOS/NP cells by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and consequent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. It also inhibited the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant KHOS/NP clone cells. Analysis of KHOS/NP xenograft Balb/c-nude models indicated that metformin displayed potent in vivo antitumor effects.
CONCLUSION
Further studies are necessary to explore metformin's therapeutic potential and the possibilities for its use as an adjuvant agent for osteosarcoma.

Keyword

Metformin; Osteosarcoma; Antitumor effect

MeSH Terms

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
Animals
Apoptosis
Cell Cycle
Cell Line
Cell Proliferation
Clone Cells
Female
Heterografts
Humans
In Vitro Techniques*
Metformin*
Mice
Osteosarcoma*
Sirolimus
Thigh
Transplants
Tumor Burden
Water
Wound Healing
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
Metformin
Sirolimus
Water
Full Text Links
  • KJP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr